Rhodesian’s Threat To Kill Holyoake

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 1

Rhodesian’s Threat To Kill Holyoake

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 18. A young Rhodesian appeared in the Magistrate's Court at Lower Hutt today charged with sending a letter containing a threat to kill the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake. Edward Samuel Macdonald, aged 21, a wool-spinner, pleaded guilty to the charge before Mr J. F. Keane, S.M. lie was remanded until Friday for sentence. Detective Senior Sergeant D. J. Dwan said that on October 15 a letter was received at the office of the Prime Minister addressed to “The Prime Minister, Holyoake, C/- New Zealand Post Office. Wellington.”

It was posted at the Lower Hutt post office on October 14.

The letter was received at a time when the New Zealand Government was considering what action should be taken by them as a result of the Rhodesian Prime Minister's decision to seize independence. It was an anonymous lettei and bore no address. The theme of the letter in-

dicated that it had been written by a Rhodesian with sympathies towards the Smith regime and contained a warning that if the New Zealand Government sent troops to Rhodesia, then New Zealand would have two wars to fight. The letter suggested that a few Rhodesians in New Zealand were conspiring to damage planes, ships and industries. It was stated: “I have a bullet with your name on it, and I will get you before you get me.” Macdonald was interviewed by the police this morning when he admitted writing and posting the letter. He said he intended it should be received by Mr Holyoake, said Mr Dwan. He told the police he was hopeful that on receipt of the letter the Prime Minister might be swayed into supporting the Rhodesian Prime Minister's actions as he claimed Australia had done. He stated he had no intention of carrying out the threat. Macdonald, a native of Rhodesia, lives in Lower Hutt and has been in New Zealand for three years.