1.
GV.PARLIAMENT BUILDING.
0.05

2.
GV.EUROPEAN MEN AND WOMEN OUTSIDE WITH SASHES AND BOWED.
0.08

3.
MV.THREE WOMEN.
0.11

4.
GV.MEN HOLDING POSTERS READING "LOST THE RULE OF LAW AND JUSTICE RIP".
0.16

5.
MV.DEMONSTRATORS STANDING; PAN AROUND TO POLICEMEN.
0.20

6.
MV.PRIME MINISTER FIELD INTO PARLIAMENT BUILDING.
0.26

7.
MV.DEMONSTRATORS.
0.29

8.
GV.GROUP BREAKS UP.
0.36

9.
GV.PARLIAMENT BUILDING.
0.41



Initials IT/S/CR/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: EUROPEANS IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA WHO'VE BEEN DEMONSTRATING AGAINST A CONTROVERSIAL PUBLIC SECURITY BILL HELD ONE FINAL MEETING ON TUESDAY, THEN ABANDONED THEIR CAMPAIGN. AFTER PICKETING PARLIAMENT FOR MANY DAYS, THEY FINALLY GAVE UP WHEN THE SECURITY LEGISLATION WAS PASSED THROUGH YET ANOTHER READING.

WEARING BLACK SASHES TO SYMBOLISE MOURNING, AND STANDING WITH HEADS BOWED, THE GROUP CARRIED POSTERS PROTESTING AT WHAT'S BECOME KNOWN AS THE "HANGING BILL". THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE LAW AND ORDER MAINTENANCE ACT WHICH MAKES HANGING COMPULSORY FRO CERTAIN TYPES OF ARSON AND SABOTAGE.

ON TUESDAY, THE GOVERNMENT OF MR. WINSTON FIELD INTRODUCED FURTHER SECURITY MEASURES. THESE PROPOSE PRISON SENTENCES OF UP TO 20 YEARS FOR RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA WHO, EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT BY UNCONSTITUTIONAL MEANS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW BILL WOULD HELP SECURE SOUTHERN RHODESIA FROM EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE BY PEOPLE OPERATING FROM NEIGHBOURING TERRITORIES. HE SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO THE ACTIVITIES IN EXILE OF THE BANNED ZIMBABWE AFRICAN PEOPLE UNION.