The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, November 17, 1967 — Speculation that a total travel ban may be imposed on Rhodesia by Britain if no settlement is reached in the next two or three weeks was not taken very seriously in Bulawayo yesterday.

At his press conference in London on Tuesday, the Commonwealth Secretary, Mr Thomson, declined to give details of further sanctions moves planned in the event of a deadlock. But suggestions that one of these might be the imposition of a travel ban on Rhodesia appeared in the British press.

Mr WP Sanderson, chairman of the Bulawayo and District Publicity Association, said yesterday: “I don’t think the threat would have been made if something could not be done about it.

“There are a number of things they could do. They could make it illegal for Commonwealth countries to accept Rhodesian residents and then take the matter to the United Nations as a new way of tightening sanctions.

“As for incoming visitors, I cannot see how they would be prevented from visiting Rhodesia if they wished.”

Mr Sanderson said he believed the aim of the ban, if it ever came about, would be to demoralise the individual, to give him the impression that he could not travel if he wanted to.

“But there are many ways around restrictions,” he added.

Mr AJ Goldsmith, president of the Chamber of Industries, said: “It is terribly difficult to foresee the effects on business of such a ban.

“Every poison has its antidote and I am sure that some way would be found to neutralise the effects of such a move. But it would not engender friendly relations.”

More affected would be Rhodesian students planning to finish their studies overseas, especially in Britain.