1.
SV PEOPLE OUTSIDE CONFERENCE HALL (2 SHOTS)
0.07

2.
SV DELEGATE'S SEAT
0.14

3.
SV AUDIENCE
0.20

4.
SV SIR EDGAR WHITEHEAD SPEAKS (2 SHOTS)
0.27

5.
SV AUDIENCE
0.29

6.
SV SIR EDGAR WHITEHEAD SPEAKING
0.38

7.
SV PEOPLE APPLAUDING
0.43



Initials JM/V/WH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN SALISBURY YESTERDAY, SIR EDGAR WHITEHEAD, LEADER OF THE SOUTHERN RHODESIAN OPPOSITION, SAID THAT MR WINSTON FIELD'S GOVERNMENT WAS UNLIKELY TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE FOR SOUTHERN RHODESIA IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. FOR THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE WORLD TO SUPPORT HIS COUNTRY'S BID FOR INDEPENDENCE, AFRICANS MUST BE GIVEN MORE REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT.

SIR EDGAR WAS ADDRESSING THE FIRST CONGRESS OF HIS RHODESIA NATIONAL PARTY. HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT AN AFRICAN MAJORITY GOVERNMENT WOULD BE DEMANDED, ADDING: "AND I DO NOT THINK WE ARE READY FOR IT." HE WENT ON TO EMPHASISE THAT ALL RACES MUST HAVE AN EQUALITY OF SAY IN THE RUNNING OF THE COUNTRY'S AFFAIRS. THE VIEWS OF ALL MUST BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN PLANNING THE FUTURE. HE EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR CLOSE LINE WITH NORTHERN RHODESIA AND NYASALAND AFTER THE FEDERATION'S DISSOLUTION - BUT DID NOT THINK THEY WOULD BE EASY TO ARRANGE OR MAINTAIN.