Apartheid Support Likely

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 17

Apartheid Support Likely

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CAPE TOWN, Jan. 18.

Support for South Africa’s apartheid policy is expected to be strengthened by the General Election set for March 30.

Observers predicted today that the election, announced last night by the Prime Minister, Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd, would result in an overwhelming victory for his National Party, which favours apartheid —separate development of the country’s black and white populations. The multi-racial programme

Progressive Party is expected tc face a hard battle to retain its sole representative in the House of Assembly (Lower House). i Although the representative of this party, which stands for an immediate limited African franchise, is the popular and articulate Mrs Helen Suzman, her campaign in the wealthy Johannesburg constituency of Houghton will be a tough, one. Apart from Mrs Suzman, in the present 156-seat Lower

House, the National Party has 105 seats and the United Party of Sir Villiers Graaff has 50. As a result of recent constituency delimitation, the new Parliament will have 160 seats. Both the main parties stand for white minority rule, but the National Party’s apartheid policy envisages eventual African self-rule in their own “homelands.” The United Party opposes this, mainly on the ground that it could lead to the end of white rule. It stands for a white-ruled integrated country with Africans having their own limited political rights eventually. Dr. Verwoerd has headed the National Party since August, 1958, soon after it was returned to power with increased Parliamentary and popular support. After Republic Again in 1961, in the first! General Election after South Africa became a Republic, the Nationalists increased their representation from 102 seats to 105.

The Nationalists again showed a uniform picture of gains throughout the country in the provincial elections last March. The present Parliament will meet on Friday for a brief session. Dr. Verwoerd said last night that the new Parliament is expected to be convened on July 29.