South African policies

Press, 12 May 1981, Page 16

South African policies

Sir,—The South African Consul-General, Mr P. R. Lindhorst, in his letter (May 7) analysing the results of the South African elections, puts only one interpretation on the facts. Another could be: Increased representation for the Progressive Liberal Party suggests that for liberals, change has been inadequate. Gains by the Herstigte Nasionale Party indicate a demand from the Right for more rigid enforcement of petty apartheid. Where is the “on-going process” of “fundamental change” for the 300,000 blacks referred to by Minister of Co-operation, Dr Piet Koornhof, as having been resettled to the homelands by the present government? (“The Press,” April 3). Are Mr Lindhorst’s “evolutionary

processes,” the same processes which keep white education spending 12 times as high as black, on a per capita basis? (“The Press,” April 3). The real meaning of South Africa’s “fundamental change” is the minimum change required under pressure to appease world opinion while maintaining white supremacy.—Yours, etc., JOHN EDMUNDSON. May 8, 1981.

Sir,—Thanks for the information supplied by the correspondents, Graeme Yardley and K. T. Childs, I am now certain that wages paid to blacks and whites in South Africa were, and are, little different in proportion to wages paid to blacks and whites in the Pacific Islands stretching from Papua New Guinea to Tahiti. Whoever saw a white person doing menial work for wages in the islands? Your correspondents unfairly quote figures for South Africa alone.—Yours, etc., H. BIRT. May 9, 1981.

Sir,—lt seems a great pity that HART and other antiSouth African groups could not devote a little time to the study of history and biology. They would then realise that their futile attempts to change the Republic’s policy of apartheid are worse than useless. The refusal to accept South Africa’s credentials at the United Nations, its expulsion from the Olympics and its treatment

as a pariah can have only one result. That is to make South Africa more determined than ever to pursue its present course. In fact, had HART and others conspired to make apartheid a permanent fixture they could not have done a bettei job. HART’s bleating about the conditions of the blacks ii South Africa has, therefore, a hollow ring for they, them selves, must accept sonresponsibility for those cor tions.—Yours, etc., W. R. DOBSON. May 9, 1981.