South Africa

Press, 5 December 1988, Page 16

South Africa

Sir, —Kenneth Eber Martin courteously chides me (November 28), suggesting I need enlightenment regarding the 1930 s high unemployment here. I find this strange, for I was born here. One recalls, also, a grandstand shipboard view from Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf of the riotous window smashing all down Queen Street one night. The Jarrow-on-Tyne “hunger marchers” came later, in London. I suggest that had Kenneth Eber Martin, when leaving his native land, gone to South Africa, instead of New Zealand, he might have had more practical opportunities to improve that country’s lot than his letters to the Editor here may achieve. New Zealand is still a good country —

“stirrers” and all — many of us believe. —Yours, etc.,

JOHN LESLIE. November 29, 1988.

Sir,— In reply to John C. Sheppard (November 23), I thought my mind was beyond boggling, but I find myself in a state of amazement that he should give such priority to a golf handicap as if' it was an indicator of values by which to grade people, black and/or white. Shades of my days in British Raj India, and all that! It is the sweat of miners, factory workers, and similar, that produces the wealth that creates a supply of money for “spin-off” circulation, shops, boutiques, etc., and the need of a banking system for savings-mortgage finance. Apartheid knows no bounds in its quest to deceive.— Yours, etc.,

KENNETH EBER MARTIN. November 24, 1988.

Sir, —It is clear that K. Martin (November 30) will only classify a black political organisation as well organised and reputable if it is radical and revolutionary enough to be banned by the Government. That is taking political prejudice to the point of denying reality. I remind Mr Martin that, beyond Inkatha’s three million active membership, polls prove the majority of black South Africans oppose sanctions, general strikes, school, rent and shop boycotts, violence, the armed struggle and socialism, while they favour working for better understanding between black and white, negotiation with the Government, a modified Westminster system that protects minorities, and peaceful protests and pressure tactics. In short, most blacks agree generally with Inkatha’s basic principles. Yet they are hardly "collaborators” with the Government. All blacks, including Buthelezi, though welcoming reform, want a lot more. Hence their continued reluctance to serve on the Government’s National Statutory Council. —

Yours, etc., lAN DIMBLEBY. . November 30, 1988.

Sir, — If G. Boston (November 30) considers that a large Christian population makes injustice more reprehensible, he should criticise Zimbabwe, which has a particularly high proportion of church attendances yet has a very poor standard of justice. I can quote many cases of people detained and tortured, sometimes for years before being brought to court, found innocent, then rearrested on leaving the court. Zimbabwe judges admit evidence obtained under duress and impose very heavy sentences. At least 58 people have been detained so far this year and only four of these have appeared in court. Justice standards are just as bad or even worse in other black-ruled countries. On the other hand, very little reasonable criticism of the justice system can be levelled at South Africa.— Yours, etc.,

L. R. WILKINSON, hfovember 30, 1988.