N.Z. changes stand on apartheid resolution

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32612, 21 May 1971, Page 1

N.Z. changes stand on apartheid resolution

(By BRUCE KOHN, N.Z.P.A. stag correspondent)

NEW YORK, May 20.

New Zealand yesterday emphasised its abhorrence of apartheid by voting in the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations for a resolution with which it did not entirely agree.

The resolution condemned apartheid, and called the application of that doctrine a crime against humanity and a threat to international peace and security.

New Zealand did not agree that it was appropriate for the council to declare apartheid a crime against humanity, nor that it should decide apartheid was a threat to peace and security.

But it nevertheless cast a vote which left no misunderstanding about New Zealand’s attitude. The New Zealand Ambassador (Mr J. V. Scott) switched from the attitude of abstention which had been adopted by New Zealand toward the resolution when it came before the Human Rights Commission earlier this year. The resolution was passed by the council with 20 in

favour and none against. Six nations, the United Kingdom, United States, Italy, France, Norway and Brazil, abstained. Greece and New Zealand were the only Western nations to support it. Mr Scott said to the Council before voting took place that since the discussion in the Human Rights Commission New Zealand had tried unsuccessfully to have the wording changed. Besides describing apartBus fares to rise Christchurch bus fares will rise on Monday, when adults will have to pay 2c a ride more than at present, and children Ic. Multi-ride tickets will/rise in proportion. The Christchurch Transport Board decided on the increase at its meeting on May 5, when the chairman (Mr. J. R. Smith) said the board had “no alternative” to an increase in fares because public transport had received a “raw deal” from the Government.

heid as a crime against humanity and a threat to international peace and security, the nine-clause resolution condemned the policies of racial discrimination pursued in South Africa, Namibia (South-West Africa), Southern Rhodesia and territories under Portuguese domination.

It asked the Security Council to find means of enforcing rigidly that organisation’s own resolution, in which all member States were called upon not to supply arms to South Africa. Other clauses sought fuller dissemination of information about the application of apartheid, and more assistance for victims of it. The switch of vote delighted New Zealand’s African and Asian Commonwealth partners, notably Kenya and Malaysia. It is too early to say whether yesterday’s vote will give Wellington greater influence among Asian and African nations in discus-

sions on racialism and apartheid.

But by following a policy of placing emphasis on the underlying reason for a resolution rather than on its wording Wellington seems certain to win new respect from them.