S. AFRICAN POLICY

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 15

S. AFRICAN POLICY

No ‘peaceful* demonstration (N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyright) JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 29.

The South African Minister of Labour (Mr Viljoen) has told students that if they want to change the Government they will have an opportunity in the 1975 elections — but demonstrations have to be stopped, even if they are peaceful. “I cannot recall any of these demonstrations (in other parts of the world) which led to riots and violence, which did not start very peacefully. The pattern is the same all over,” he said in an interview.

He said he equated demonstrators with rioters, because if it was desired to change a Government outside the prescribed means it would be unconstitutional. If the students wanted the Government changed, he said, “there is a wonderful opportunity to do so in 1975 . . . But if they want to bring about change in some other way, then I am afraid we will not allow it.”

Mr Viljoen’s remarks — an elaboration of a comment by him earlier this week that some students were “internal terrorists” — came after a Supreme Court judgment in Cape Town defending the right of free assembly.