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EMBARGO: Not for publication or broadcast before 7 p. m.
THIFS-DAY, 25TH MAY, 1961] P. M. No. 25/ 1961
SOUTH AFRICA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM COMMONWEiLTH
Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies
The Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs,
Mr. R. G. Menzies, said today that the Government had been
considering the practical consequences, as they would affect
Australia, of South Africa's ceasing on 31st May to be a member
of the Commonwealth. Certain consequences would follow automatically.
South Africa would no longer participate in Commonwealth
Conferences or in various Commonwealth Committees and schemes
set up for the benefit of Commonwealth countries. Also the
designation of the Australian representative in South Africa
would be changed from High Commissioner to Ambassador and the
formalities for this were in hand.
Mr. Menzies pointod out that Australia's relations
with South Africa went back over a long period and covered a
wide field. In some matters, such as trade, finance and civil
aviation, these relationships were not dependent on Commonwealth
membership and would be unaffected by South Africa's ceasing to
be a Commonwealth country.
In a number of other matters, however, the
relationships between the two countries were covered by
legislation. In some cases, South Africa was referred to by
in otitics, it came within the scope of the laws
concerned by virtue of being part of Her Majesty's Dominions.
The need to nake any legislative adjustments to moot the now
situation was now under study. However, the Government did not
propose to make any alteration in existing legislation for the
tiro being. Mr. Menzios referred specifically to the Nationality
and Citizcnship Act. This Act, as it stood, offered the sae
trea-m..: nt in Australia to South African citizens as to other
British subjects. No alteration to the Act was contemplated
for the present at least.
In conclusion, Mr. Menzies said that the Australian
Government would be guided by the desire to avoid any abrupt
or unnecessary disturbance to existing arrangements with South
Africa which served the mutual convenience of both countries.
However, there night need to be some adjustments over a period
in the light of particular developrents, including the
policies which might be adopted by South Africa itself.
CANBERIRA, May, 1961.