Smith’s Moves Awaited

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31278, 26 January 1967, Page 11

Smith ’s Moves Awaited

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) SALISBURY, Jan. 25. The Prime Minister, Mr lan Smith faces growing pressure—both from his own party and ordinary Rhodesians—for a new demonstration of the leadership which seized independence. Parliament reassembles today as Mr Smith puts the finishing touches to a major policy speech he will make tomorrow aimed at answering critics who say the fiery dedication which bred U.D.I. is dying.

High Government officials said the speech will be in effect a detailed blueprint for the country’s future, includ-

ing legislation to amend the Constitution. But they said that while Mr Smith would probably raise the question of Rhodesia becoming a republic at some stage the Cabinet did not intend pushing this issue now. The reason for this was straightforward, they said—a move now to put Rhodesia on the republic road would gain little or nothing and could only jeopardise support for Rhodesia’s cause abroad, particularly in the “white Commonwealth.” There was no advance word on the proposed constitutional changes but the officials said there were no plans to alter the present franchise under which Rhodesia’s 220,000strong white minority rules more than four million Africans. Since the breakdown of the

Tiger talks last December, there has been a vacuum in Rhodesian politics in which Mr Smith has given no clear answer to the burning question from many Rhodesians: where do we go from here? ■His speech tomorrow should point the way. The Prime Minister’s hold on the Rhodesian Front Party is not as complete as it was only a few months ago. In the party’s extreme Right-wing, which advocates apartheid in Rhodesia, there are signs of discontent with Mr Smith’s leadership and accusations of softness towards the British by not pushing ahead Rightist policies. Mr Smith has shown no sign of giving an inch to this group, but some influential Rhodesians with sources close to the Government and party think he is under strong backstage pressures.