Rhodesian Reports Criticised

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31032, 12 April 1966, Page 14

Rhodesian Reports Criticised

The “terse announcement by N.Z.P.A.-, Reuter, and the short broadcast from N.Z.8.C.,” that the Rhodesian Government had declared the 8.8. C. persona non grata and ordered its representatives to leave Rhodesia, both fail to give a reasonably full account of the reasons for such action, says a statement by the Aid Rhodesia Movement.

The statement supplied by the secretary of the movement in Canterbury (Mr J. A. D. Anderson) says:

activities of their partner, the Zambian Broadcasting Corporation, but this knowledge has not prevented the British Government from supplying two medium-wave transmitters now installed in Livingstone and beamed into the Wankie colliery area where a large labour force is employed, mostly Zambian Africans.

“Ever since U.D.I. was declared in November, 1965, the 8.8. C. has been involved with the Zambia Broadcasting Corporation in programmes aimed at Rhodesia. Transcripts of broadcasts from Zambia have been sent by the Rhodesian Government to the British Government and the 8.8. C. These broadcasts are designed to incite Africans in Rhodesia to commit acts of violence in an attempt to break down law and order: to kill chiefs, destroy crops, kill Africans who do not join in strikes, stone cars and kill the occupants, destroy communications and maim and kill cattle. “Thus the British Government and the 8.8. C. are aware of the nature of the

“While such circumstances persist, the Rhodesian Government is only acting with prudence in taking steps to ensure the maintenance of law and order within Rhodesia—conditions which Mr Wilson appears to be doing his utmost to disrupt by warring against Rhodesia with every possible means short of military invasion. “New Zealanders should ask themselves what is behind this vicious and unmerited attack on Rhodesia: there is nothing apparent on the surface to justify such extreme ferocity.”