H.A.R.T. protests

Press, 12 October 1979, Page 16

H.A.R.T. protests

Sir, — "Why pick on South Africa?” asks a correspondent. Three answers: Personally, I am amused to watch the “bridge builders” as they learn more about South African law: nationally, a picket or two might make Organisation A less selfish, more considerate of Organisation B; internationally, “friends” and "guests” like white South Africa we do not need, whatever the subsidies. "We’ll be back, feller," a "guest” told me as he

stalked into the Town Hall. I don’t doubt it. As a "guest,” though, or as a refugee? —- Yours, etc., KEN MCALLISTER. October 10, 1979. Sir, — K. J. Jones (October 5) obviously does not realise the impact H.A.R.T. demonstrations did have when they protested at the recent W.0.C.0. conference. In fact the demonstrators gained much more publicity on television, radio and in the newspapers, than the conference. The point that few actually turned up to demonstrate is irrelevant and perhaps indicates that some people have a living to earn and can ill afford, in fact have no desire to spend a week back-slapping at a conference of dubious worth, K. J. Jones also fails to consider the . strength of the silent majority who support H.A.R.T. and their sincere endeavours. — Yours, etc., A. J. GRAHAM. October 8, 1979. Sir.—-Has R. V. Shaw never heard of the migrant labour system, a cornerstone of apartheid? This “endorses out” of “white” areas “nonproductive Bantu,”—wives, children, the elderly and the disabled—and sends them to distant impoverished “homelands,” or "Bantustans.” The breadwinner “migrates” back to the city. Work contrasts, arranged through Government labour bureaux, are for a year, after which the worker must return to his "homeland.” During the year he lives in a “singles’ hostel.” Political and economic coercion ensure this supply of black labour for white industry. This information is in any reputable account of South African working conditions. Try “White Man. we Want to Talk to You,” by Denis Herbstein, for starters. As for wages, the South African Institute of Race Relations, quoting Government figures, gave the average 1978 wage rate as R 6396 (whites) and R 1440 (blacks). Mr Shaw has chosen to ignore the third injustice I mentioned: that of blacks having few effective rights.— Yours, etc., A. J. CAMPBELL. October 10, 1979.