SOUTH AFRICA JANUS SIR,—I was glad to read G. H.
Calpin's interesting and balanced article South Africa Janus. It was indeed a pity that the English Press, on the whole, rushed into condemnation of Dr. Malan's policy before really knowing what it would be, and without showing any understanding of the immense difficulties and problems involved. Its object appeared to be to prejudice public opinion in the United Kingdom and irritate Afrikaners. This was certainly not conducive to good Commonwealth relations, and it was not fair to Dr. Malan. Apartheid—as distinct from Apart hate—if carried out wisely and without repression, may quite well benefit the native and be popular with him. He has his own pride and dignity, his standards. and his gaiety. All these tend to be- lost and be replaced by bewilderment and moral and material deterioration under present conditions of uncontrolled overcrowding in towns and industries, and under the impact of other races, and unfamiliar modern urban life. Something had to be done to check this deterioration and, consequently, the potential danger to the community as a whole. Although I am a South African I am not a Nationalist. Nor am I an 'advocate for the
oppression of the native.—Yours faithfully, H. A. SCHABBEL. Loxwood, Sussex.
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