1 FEBRUARY 1952, Page 16

The King at Botha House

Si,-1d his reiterated defence of the King's stay at Botha House, Janus continues to miss the point. The point does not lie in legalistic arguments as to the-ownership of the premises or about Dr. Malan's dual personality as Prime Minister of South Africa and a "party leader applying a detestable native policy." The point lies in what will be read into the visit by the 450,000,000 or so coloured residents in the Commonwealth, of which His Majesty is the titular head. These people

do not read A Spectator's Notebook, and would not understand it if they ad.

True, there is little prospect of the decision now being reversed. The damage is done. But there is no virtue in pretending that there is