N.Z. observers in Rhodesia arrest protest

Press, 9 August 1980, Page 3

N.Z. observers in Rhodesia arrest protest

PA WellingtonThe New Zealand group; sent to observe the Rhodesia i elections earlier this year became involved in a protest over the arrest of the New Zealand-born former Rhodesian Prime Minister, Mr Garfield Todd, during the campaign. Details of the involvement of the New Zealand delegation, which was led by the! former Attorney-General and] now National member for! Kaipara, Mr P. I. Wilkinson.! and included Dr G. H.. Wall! (Lab., Porirua), are containedin the observer group’s re-1 port, tabled in Parliament, yesterday. | Mr Wilkinson wrote to the| then Deputy-Governor ofj Rhodesia, Sir Anthony Duff,; on February 11 protesting 1

that Mr Todd had been arrested and held in custody without adequate information being given on . the nature and basis of the charges.

Mr Wilkinson told Sir Anthony that as a political adviser to Mr Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (P-F.) party, the eventual clear-cut winner in the elections, .Mr Todd was intimately involved in the campaign.

He said the New Zealand mission had not been fully satisfied with the explanation given by the Deputy-Gover-nor’s fegal adviser.

At the time, there were other allegations that Mr Mugabe’s campaign was being hindered by the British Governor, Lord Soames, -because of its Left-wing emphasis.