Item 29 - Discovered in a Singapore temple

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Reference code

LDG/1/6/29

Title

Discovered in a Singapore temple

Date(s)

  • [1971] (Creation)

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Item

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1 cartoon

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Scope and content

The cartoon depicts three versions of Edward Heath sitting on boxes labelled "Fragile" and attached with a tag reading "Capetown". Each version is performing a different action with the first covering his eyes, the second covering his ears and the third covering his mouth. The words "See no reason: Hear no reason: Speak no reason" are written above them.

[The cartoon is based on the Japanese pictoral maxim of the three wise monkeys who "see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil", but is referring to the Commonwealth conference held in Singapore. It was the first conference held outside the UK and was controversial because Britain was selling arms to South Africa at the time. The tone of discussion was restrained, but Edward Heath was angered by the critical passages in the other 31 heads of states' speeches at the end of the conference.]

There is a rough sketch on the reverse side for an unused cartoon that is also about Britain's arms dealing with South Africa. It has been mostly rubbed out, but you can still make out figures like Edward Heath and references to selling arms to South Africa.

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