SETTLEMENT URGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27079, 13 May 1949, Page 4

SETTLEMENT URGED

INDIA’S COMPLAINT AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA TREATMENT OF NATIONALS NZ PA—Copyright NEW YORK, May 11. A joint resolution calling on the Indian‘and South African Governments to renew their efforts to reach agreement on the Indian complaint against the South African Government was put before the United Nations General Assembly’s Political Committee to-day by Australia. Denmark and Sweden. India has complained! to the United Nations of South Africa’s treatment of Indian residents. The joint resolution asked India and South Africa to try to settle the dispute at a round-table conference or through mediation and conciliation. The resolution further asked the president of the General Assembly and Secretary-general of the United Nations to render all assistance in bringing the parties together, and if necessary Jo designate a mediator. Mr Eric Louw, South African Minister for Economic Affairs, said the subject of India’s complaint was essentially within the domesticijjurisdiction of South Africa and did not fall within the competence of the United Nations. Sir Carl Berendsen (New Zealand) said he would support any move to refer the United Nations competence to the International Court of Justice or to bring the parties together, but ihe would not support any resolution on the merits of the case which would condemn or condone.