Apartheid

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31933, 10 March 1969, Page 10

Apartheid

Sir,—Bishop Pyatt recently on television mentioned the average New Zealander’s “terrifying allegiance to the Smith regime in Rhodesia.” Fortunately the average New Zealander is aware of the basic goodness in Mr Smith’s administration and the decency extended to the African by the ordinary white Rhodesian. 1 wonder, however, how many of your readers have heard of the Outward Bound school in the idyllic surroundings of the Chimanimani mountains in Eastern Rhodesia. There black and white boys work, play and eat together to learn how to become self-reliant, responsible Rhodesian citizens. Is this “apartheid," i.e., separate development?—Yours, etc., H.R.B. March 7,1969.

Sir,—l have read the Rev. D. M. Taylor’s diatribe in support of what he calls Jesusinspired agitators with amazement. If Mr Taylor really wants to know what is an insult to Jesus Christ, he has only to examine the activities of his own set-up—the National Council of Churches. This organisation, behind a facade of good deeds, supports almost every aim of world communism. As an example, the brutal aggression of North Vietnam, and the efforts to subjugate South Africa and Rhodesia, although these countries individually are doing more to advance the black African than all the African-ruled countries put together. Never by word or deed has this council protested against the massacre of the Lumpa sect in Zambia by Kaunda’s police, or the imprisonment of the survivors Uhder the most bestial conditions: similarly against the massacre of Arabs in Zanzibar and the detention of the female survivors in a brothel. Yours, etc., C. OF E. March 7, 1969.

Sir,—South Africa seems to be coming under special attention these days from certain groups of people, especially clergy. These, seeming to think that they must become modern, look round for some vital social, and moral, issue and join the bandwaggon of “anti-apartheid.” Let us ask why this group came into being. It is simply that South Africa is now a vital link in world trade with the closing of the Suez Canal. This makes a strong anti-Communist South Africa repugnant to any self-respecting Left-wing-er or liberal. For while it is strong and anti-Communist it effectively stops Communist domination of southern Africa and of the Cape; part of the plan for totaj victory of the Communists.—Yours, etc.. G.H.D. March 9, 1969.

Sir, —The New Zealand National Front and their supporters have once again had the opportunity to abuse the Anglican Church, Mr Brutus and people who favour human rights for all. Unfortunately they are not aware that apartheid was created by people with an unusual feeling of guilt as taught by the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, one of the most ortho-

dox offshoots of the Christian faith. It is no wonder that this nation of narrowminded country folks did not have any understanding for the Bantu, people with a completely different sense of values and customs from their own. It is no wonder that any intermingling was regarded as a danger to their sons and daughters. They now excuse their cruel and oppressive behaviour, which has become an obsession, as a duty to God. Poor God and poor Bantu!—Yours, etc., M. March 7, 1969.