61/ 006
P. M. No. 9/ 1961
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE COMMOMW1I J TH
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon, R. G. Menzies
The following is the full text of the Statement
made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Menzies, in London, on the
South African situation
" This is a very unhappy day for those who
attach value to the Commonwealth as an association of
0independent nations each managing its own affairs in
its own way, but all co-operating for common purposes.
The criticisms which we all had to make of South African
policies were plainly expressed in the Conference in a
debate which took place with the complete concurrence
of Dr. Verwoerd. The debate was of a frankness and
intimacy which, in my experience, is possible only in a
meeting of Prime Ministers. It is, I think, deplorable
that it can never be conducted in such a forum and
atmosphore again. What the implications for the future
nature of the Commonwealth may be we do not as yet know.
For myself, I an deeply troubled."
CANBERRA,
16th March, 1961.
Menzies, Robert
Period of Service: 19/12/1949 - 26/01/1966
Find more information on Menzies, Robert on the:
Release Date:
16/03/1961
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
280
Document:
00000280.pdf
1 Page(s)
Released by:
- Menzies, Sir Robert Gordon
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE COMMONWEALTH - STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT. HON. R.G. MENZIES
280