Prime Minister B.J Vorster supports changes to Black labour

South African Prime Minister Balthazar Johannes (BJ) Vorster indicated that there was nothing to prevent employers taking the necessary steps to bring about improvements in the productive use of Black labour. The government would not obstruct changes in the country's traditional work patterns. The move to support changes to Black labour came seven years after Vorster was unanimously elected national leader and Prime Minister by the parliamentary caucus replacing assassinated Dr H F Verwoerd. His regime was not without problems as in the first few years in office he had to deal with a revolt by far right groups within the National Party which begun under Verwoerd. Vorster built on the National Party's policy programme but his programme was more liberal than his predecessor as he saw the change in power in Southern Africa and was quick to offer cooperation with South Africa’s neighbours. Within the country Vorster did much to begin removing the symbols of the government’s separatist policies.