Rhodesians 'Must Make Concessions’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 12

Rhodesians 'Must Make Concessions ’

(A’ew Zealand Press Association> AUCKLAND, August 22. A lasting settlement to the problems in Rhodesia could be found only if concessions were made by European and African alike, the Minister of Housing (Mr Rae) said in Auckland.

Mr Rae, who was the guest speaker at the birthday dinner of the Royal Overseas League, said, “In my opinion a peaceful and prosperous Rhodesia can be established only by the exercise of moderation on all sides. “The Europeans must offer Africans the reasonably early prospect of full participation in the political life of the country on an equal basis and the Africans must afford the Europeans a reasonable assurance that they can continue to make their indispensable contribution to the progress of an independent multi-racial Rhodesia. “If a multi-racial Commonwealth is to have a real meaning it cannot avert its eyes from a system of racial discrimination within its ranks. It did not do so in 1961 (when

South Africa withdrew) and it must not do so today. “If the concept of racial equality on which the Commonwealth stands full square is abandoned or ignored for the sake of expediency then the very survival of the Commonwealth is in doubt. “For this reason and because of the values on which our society is founded, the New Zealand Government opposed Rhodesia’s seizure of independence. But equally we are opposed to the use of force to restore constitutional rule,” Mr Rae said.

Pigeon Club Officers.—Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Racing Pigeon Club, held recently were: President, Mr E. Milne: treasurer, Mr H. Munro: secretary, Mr L. P. Smith.