Rhodesia

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30938, 20 December 1965, Page 16

Rhodesia

Sir, —The American news magazine, “Time,” has nothing to report on Rhodesia in its December 17 issue. So much for the integrity of this overseas controlled news medium, which was given specific dispensation by our Government But it did publish a letter from yet another gibbering Rhodesian wagering 5000 dollars that a “Time” story, about 239 African schoolboys being flogged for taking part in a private protest march, was untrue. He lost his bet, for “Time” quoted the court sentence in detail as reported in the “Rhodesian Herald." So much for the Africans’ love for their white oppressors. I witnessed cases of studied brutality by white colonials in Kenya in 1942, but the natives there remained patient until the Mau Mau uprising, and even this violence ceased when majority rule was assured.—Yours, etc VARIAN J. WILSON. ” December 19. 1965.

Sir,—“The Press” deserves great credit for publishing a letter from Rhodesia. The Rhodesian point of view is too rarely heard, and Vartan J. Wilsons censure of “The Press” for printing an opinion differing from his own is a shocking exhibition of the kind of bigotry and intolerance which is foreign to New Zealand. The Commonwealth partnership is based on tolerance and understanding of tbe other man’s point of view. The most advanced Commonwealth countries are those in which press and people are free to speak their minds. Where free expression of opinion is suppressed, democracy is overwhelmed by dictatorship, as in Ghana and other one-party States. Rhodesia, with a con-stitutionally-elected government and parliamentay opposition, has an outstanding record of multi-racial progress and a right to a fair hearing: Tlie Press” could well invite the Prime Minister of Rhodesia to explain his point of view to the people of New Zealand.—Yours, etc., „ BINOCULAR. December 18, 1965. Sir,—lt to regrettable that 2°“ PMder to the Influential European pressure group by “sptasMnTan alleged private letter, obviwritten for publication. , Ad * n> ,, “F« he interested w NBttttal towncFthe

Chartered Company which supported by British bayonets, ruled Rhodesia until 1923? Or bf the infamous Land Apportionment Act, the colour bar, the thousands of Africans restricted without charge or trial to remote camps? Restriction, psychologically brutal, is cheaper than prison; it also attracts less unwanted publicity. The Africans are generally docile because Europeans have machine guns and armoured cars. “Adam” would no doubt be docile under such coercion. Why is Garfield Todd restricted to his farm and not allowed to express himself? “Adam’s" idea of justice is repression by the police state. —Yours, etc., OBSERVER. December 18, 1965.

Sir,—l also was shocked at the prominence given in “The Press” to a most offensive letter written by a smug Rhodesian. This was all the more insulting for being given precedence in juxtaposition to the news of the death of the much beloved and enlightened ruler of one of our most loyal protectorates—surely an extreme example of bad taste, as Vartan Wilson says, this is not news but propaganda. I think that some explanation is called for, and I also think that subscribers to “The Press” are entitled to know where the paper stands on this question. —Yours, etc., QUERCUS. December 18. 1965. [The two reports were not “juxtaposed;” and if they were they could not have constituted an “insult” to anyone who appreciates the distinction between news and views. Our subscribers are certainly entitled to know where “The Press” stands on this question. We gave our views in leading articles on November 12 and 20.—Ed., “The Press.”]