Black-white pact

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33426, 7 January 1974, Page 11

Black-white pact

[ (N.Z.P.A.-Reiiter —Copyright) JOHANNESBURG, January 6. A black leader and a [white politician have drawn up a “declaration of faith” which is regarded by many people jin South Africa as a [historic move. The declaration, made public yesterday, was signed ion Friday by Chief Gatsha l Buthelezi, the outspoken leader of the Kwazulu ’African homeland, and by l Mr Harry Schwarz, Transvaal leader of the white Op- ’ position United Party, ; It emphasises both men’s’ (support for peaceful change! in South Africa, and the ’principle of economic and? ’educational advancement for all. But the most important ’ part of the pact xvould appear to be its call for a consultative council, representa- ; live of all groups in South i Africa, and for support for a (federal alternative to the

National Party Government’s separate development, or ’ apartheid, policies. The Johannesburg “Sun- i day Times”, in its main front-page story, describes ; ■ the declaration as “a historic , move between political lead- ; ers”. . Both men have been in-;, volved in promoting the fed- , eral concept during the last , year. Mr Schwarz is the leader; Oi the so-called “Young Turk” movement within the United Party that has been pushing for greater contact between the races and has; been the main force behind; the party’s Federal plan. ; This xvould, however, still-, leave a white Parliament su-" preme for an undefined ’period, bound to give up its , supremacy to a Federal assembly only when it chose. , 3ut Chief Buthelezi was . :one of the main forces be-,, ’hind a summit meeting of' ( homeland leaders, in the Transkei capital of Umtata , in November, which decided to work towards an eventual s federation of their home- ' lands.