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Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference: South Africa to leave Commonwealth; c)9.25pm: Verwoerd announces withdrawal of South Africa's request to remain in the Commonwealth (2) ENGLAND: London: Dorchester Hotel: CS Dr Hendrik Verwoerd (Prime Minister of South Africa) speaking SOF - "I must admit that I was amazed and shocked by the spirit of hostility and, in this last meeting, even of vindictiveness shown towards South Africa. In these discussions in spite of the lengths to which we were prepared to go in the various draft communiques suggested, it is clear that in view of the majority of the Prime Ministers, after the lead given by a group of Afro-Asian nations, South Africa will no longer be welcome in the Commonwealth. The character of the Commonwealth has apparently changed completely during the last year. The opposition to South Africa's continued membership of the Commonwealth is based on alleged discrimination against and oppression of non-white peoples. I do not intend reiterating my strong denial of these allegations, I do, however, wish to state that it is ironical that those allegations have come from Prime Ministers in whose own countries oppression and discrimination are openly practised, and where the basic principles of democratic government are flaunted. In this connection I refer particularly to Ghana, India, Malaya and Ceylon, although certain other Commonwealth countries are not free from such practises - in other cases, while not expressly permitted by law little or no attempt is made to discontinue such practises. In conclusion, I wish to state that the proceedings at today's meeting, which have obliged me to take this regrettable step, in my opinion mark the disintegration of the Commonwealth." NEG 16mm ITN (Corbett) 2 mins 75 ft TX 15.3.61/9.25pm