Mr Anderton wants to meet jailed S.A. black leaders

Press, 19 February 1983, Page 11

Mr Anderton wants to meet jailed S.A. black leaders

PA Auckland The Labour Party's president. Mr J. P. Anderton, will not go to South Africa unless visa conditions barring his seeing jailed black leaders are revoked. Mr Anderton has challenged the South African Consul-General. Mr Alan Harvey, to remove the condition or join him in a public debate on the issue. A year ago Mr Anderton applied to visit South Africa to talk to politicians, churchmen. journalists, and other community leaders, including some who are in jail. His earlier application.

made before the 1981 Springbok tour, was declined, and he was told to apply again. Last month, before three National Party members of Parliament » said they were going on an expenses-paid trip to South Africa. Mr Harvey told Mr Anderton that his visa would be granted, with two conditions: that he visit no major military establishments or call on anyone in a penal institution. Mr Anderton said that to fulfil the purpose of visiting South Africa — to make an honest inquiry into apartheid

— he would have to speak to opposition as well as Government leaders and supporters. He wanted to meet two acknowledged leaders of the black majority. Nelson Mandela and Herman Toivo, both of whom are in jail. “In South Africa, where the ratio of prisoners in jails to the total population is the highest in the world, you have to go to prison to find the leaders of the real political opposition." Mr Anderton said. "I would take up the visa tomorrow if the white South African Government will al-

low me to see the legitimate leaders of their political opposition as well as themselves and those they have chosen not to imprison." Mr Anderton challenged Mr Harvey to have the prison visits condition lifted or to join him in a televised public debate on the reasons for it. "Until I am allowed to see whom I want to see in South Africa. I will not go," he said. An official of the South African consulate said that Mr Harvey was not immediately available for comment.