HOUSING PLAN IN RHODESIA

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31501, 16 October 1967, Page 13

HOUSING PLAN IN RHODESIA

(N.Z. Press Association-—Copyright) SALISBURY, October 15. Rhodesia is expected to set up a race classification board along lines used to distinguish Coloured families in South Africa, it was learned yesterday.

Detailed plans for the “Denominational Tribunal” are contained in draft legislation sent to members of Parliament last week for the Property Owners’ (Residential Protection) Bill. Announcing the proposed legislation earlier this year.

the Local Government Minister, Mr Mark Partridge, said that to “maintain racial harmony” laws would be enacted providing for the eviction of one race from an area predominantly occupied by another race if the predominant race petitioned for it. This resulted from complaints by whites that Asians and Coloureds were moving into white suburbs, buying houses and thereby, they contended, lowering property values. The draft legislation splits races into two groups—whites in one group and Asians and Coloureds In the other. Black Africans are already barred from living in white areas under existing legislation. The bill says that small racial groups “such as Chinese, South Americans, etc.”, will fall into the white class and be allowed to live in white areas. The tribunal would be given power to consider a person’s appearance and any other factors it thinks relevant in deciding his race.