SIR,—The problem of Seretse Khama and the Bamangwato raises issues
which must be faced, however painful they may be to us. In debarring Seretse Khama from the leadership of his tribe, which is now fully prepared to accept him, we are depriving a largely non- Christian people of a Christian chief, who would uphold amongst his subjects the example of his faith, and of a Christian family-life (the very example which was one of the most praised virtues of King George VI).
It was primarily and fundamentally out of the bond of the faith which they have in common that the marriage of Seretse and Ruth Khama took place. Have we dared to ask ourselves whether, perhaps, it is they who are right, and we, in the tangle of .our prejudices and fears, who are wrong ?
Let us at least face the fact that if, in the circumstances, we do forbid this young man to return to the leadership of his people we shall, have taken upon ourselves—as a nominally Christian nation— a terrible burden of moral responsibility. Is even the maintenance of unimpaired relations with the Union of South Africa worth so great
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