Arms Ban ‘Blunder’

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 13

Arms Ban ‘Blunder’

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 19. The British Government’s decision to ban the sale of arms to South Africa was the most remarkable blunder yet made by the new administration, the "Evening Standard” said. “It is hard to think of any single decision which could cause so little inconvenience to South Africa and so much harm to this country, while bringing at the same time no moral profit to the Labour Party,” the newspaper said. “If Mr Wilson's intention is to apply commercial blackmail why does he not authorise fullscale sanctions?” “If the Government wishes to express its abhorrence of tyranny and injustice abroad, then it is morally obliged to cease all trade at once with countries such as China, Russia, Ghana, Cuba and many others. “Above all, it is, of course, a political decision,” the “Evening Standard" said. “There are many members of Labour’s left wing who are howling for sanctions to be applied on South Africa regardless of the consequences. “This is a victory for the doctrinaire Left and an unhappy omen for the future.”