Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-18
South Africa
Whites Elect
Again Today

III S1AAANANA0DOAS WV 10
Zap South Africa's white
minority elects another all
white government today for
the next five years. A light
turnout marked the early vote.
: Prime Minister Hendrix Yer
iwoerd called the parliamentary
Elections 1S months early in
order to bid for another five
years power for his National
Party-years that may prove
the most crucial in this coun-
try's history.
To most observers here the
outcome Of this election is
scarcely in doubt. 1t is expected
to be another national victory.
Mr., Verwoerd's Nationalist
hold 102 seats in the outgoing
Assembly against 81 for the
combined opposition.
Judging by results of last
years national referendum
which converted the Union of
South Africa under the British
crown to an Afrikaner-domi-
mated republic-the strength
OF the National Party still is
growing. The party has been
in power since 1913, and the
silver-haired, 60-year-old Mr..
Verwoerd has been Prime
Minister since 1858.
Opposition Is Divided
Opposing the Nationalist.
and fighting among themselves
for anti-Nationalist support.
are the United Party. the Pro-
gressive Party and the Liberal
Party.
The sharpest contest here
has been between the United
Party. led by Sir de Villiers
CRAFT, and the Progressives,
led by DR.. Jan Steytler. The
ProgreSsiveS have a lot of
friends among liberals abroad
because they advocate giving
this country's majority nom
whites participation in the
Federal Parliament. But they
don't seem to be making much
Roadway selling this idea to
white electorate here.
The United Party advocates
limited representation in Par
lament for colored groups.
Leading campaign speakers
for the Nationalists have de-
clared that. in this election.
they are out to kill the Pro-
gressive Party because 1t pro-
poses q limited franchise and
government participation for
the whites.
Road TO Black Ruel
The Nationalist assert this
would mean the beginnings of
Interrogation which ultimately
would result in black rule here.
Mr.. Verwoerd has proclaimed
that If his party wins again,
apartheid separation OF the
races) will be strengthened.
This means the Bantus
oblackS) ultimately will be
gathered In their independent
enclaves, called "Bantustans."
The Coloreds mixed blood
and Indians will continue to
be segregated.
Mr.. Verwoerd himself has
also repeatedly claimed that
some day the world will "see
how right we are" He and his
cohorts point to chaos in the
Congo; repressive political
measures in Ghana, threaten
ing troubles in Kenya. and the
African Nationalist revolt in
Northern Rhodesia.
The Nationalists argue that
the Africans are not ready to
govern themselves and say in
effect: Vote for us and you'll
have stable government and
make our republic a bastian
Of white rule and Christianity
in Africa"
COnnivance Charged
The party charges that At
rican Nationalist are planning
with foreign connivance to
launch a final liberation
struggle against the white gov
eminent in 1868, when general
election normally would have
been held.
The South African economy.
though resilient by virtue of
its gold-production base, can
expect more knocks during the
coming years. Mr.. Verwoerd's
choice of an election before
things get worse seems
shrewd one.
South Africa's walkout from
the commonwealth last March
and its further separation from
Britain should that country
join the common market can
only harm this country's for
eign trade. Also to be reckoned
with are trade boycotts against
South Africa imposed by vari-
GUS African Asian countries
and advocated in som e
European countries.
Expenditure Rise Seen
The taxpayer is likely to suf-
fer on account of rocketing
state expenditure on develop
ment of the Bantustans and
on the defense preparedness
program.
In the election, SO Of the
156 seats are ur1c0nteStRd In
so constituencies Nationalist
were elected unopposed be-
cause no opposition party
thought it had the slightest
chance of victory in those
constituencies. Conversely, &c
United Party men were elected
unopposed.
Although the whites con.