Arrogance

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31628, 14 March 1968, Page 12

Arrogance

We received yesterday from a solicitor acting for Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. R. Elderton, president of the Aid Rhodesia Movement (N.Z.), a request that we should reprint Colonel Elderton’s statement on the hangings in Rhodesia, with the two deletions which we made in the interests of conserving our space restored and in their proper context, and an apology for the omissions. The letter also complained about the omission in the heading to the article of the word “ Rhodesia ” from the title of Colonel Elderton’s “ movement ” (the word was used elsewhere in the heading) and asked us to withdraw our comment that we believe Colonel Elderton’s statement to be both mistaken and mischievous.

One of the passages omitted from Colonel Elderton’s statement is set out in a letter, printed today, from the secretary of the Aid Rhodesia Movement. The second, for the benefit of those who may think it relevant, is set out here. It follows the passage in the fifth paragraph of Colonel Elderton’s statement in which he asks: “ If the legal “ and de facto government of a country is not “ permitted to maintain law and order to protect “ its people from the activities of thugs, where do “ things begin and where do they end? ”

Inability to observe this principle is the main cause for the present situation in Vietnam, where the killing of civil servants and leading citizens by the Communist Viet Cong has made the administration of the country almost impossible. It is quite ironical that “The Press” should continue to receive complaints from this organisation with an insignificant membership whenever we refuse to print its statements or to print them in full. “ The Press ” has given the movement generous access to its columns. It has no obligation to do so; but “ The Press ” happens to believe that even a few misguided zealots have some claim to be heard. The underlying cause of their testiness, no doubt, is that they are not merely allowed to be heard but that they are also answered. And the further the discussion goes the plainer it becomes that they are indeed a small misguided band of zealots convinced—we do not doubt sincerely convinced—that they are right and that all the rest of the civilised world is wrong. Nevertheless, it requires not merely zeal but a typical touch of arrogance for the supporters of such a regime as Mr Smith’s to complain of censorship in this country.