M.P. quits Rhodesia

Press, 5 July 1977, Page 8

M.P. quits Rhodesia

NZPA-Reuter Salisbury A member of Parliament is! joining the 1500 white Rhodesians who flee their country each month to escape the e.calating guerrilla war and the prospect of black rule. Mr Wickus de Kock, a member of the ruling Rhodesian Front. announced during the week-end that he was leaving the legislature to become a farmer in South Africa, where his ancestors, lived before settling in Rhodesia in the 1890 s. The resignation came after that of Mr Des Frost.

head of the Rhodesian Front, who joined others in the; party in opposing Mr lan! Smith’s support for Anglo-! American initiatives for! majority rule. Mr de Kock remained: loyal to Mr Smith, but the Rhodesian Front rebels are expected to field a strong; candidate for the by-election in Mr de Kock's conservative farming district, which is in-, 'filtrated by black nationalist: guerrillas. A new multi-racial group, the National Unifying Front; met during the week-end and

elected a former Rhodesian Front member, Mr Allan ; Savoy, as its leader. A sevenmember committee, including a black and an Asian, was named to draft constitutional proposals for the British Foreign Secretary (Dr David Oven). Mr Owen is expected in Salisbury this month to continue the Anglo-American initiatives which were interrupted last month when talks in Geneva involving Mr Smith and black nationalist leaders broke down.