Use Of Force 'Unthinkable’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30803, 15 July 1965, Page 3

Use Of Force 'Unthinkable’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 14. The use of armed force in Rhodesia would be unthinkable, said the senior Government Whip, Mr J. H. George (Central Otago) in the foreign affairs debate in Parliament tonight.

He was referring to the demand by Rhodesia for self government and Britain’s insistence on a constitution which would give the Africans full representation in government. “That one white country’ should use armed force against another under such conditions is unthinkable,” he said. “They are the same flesh and blood as we are. They are the sons and daughters of English, Scots and Irish who answered the call to go and settle this unclaimed land. They feel this land is partly theirs,” said Mr George. “They have made their homes there. “We should not rush into a decision we might be sorry for at some future date. I have been there. I know the minds of the people. They feel that they been let down by the rest of the white nations of the Commonwealth, but I think that common sense will prevail before a decision is made,” said Mr George. Mr George said New Zealand must take some of the blame for being in too much of a hurry to let “the unfledged birds from the nest before they are properly feathered.”

“But I don't think that anyone has the answer to these complex questions. He said the older members of the Commonwealth had cast these new nations adrift

.on a political sea without preparing them for their new role. “So we must take our share of the blame for the weaknesses of ou<* present commonwealth,” said Mr George.