R.S.A. Turns Down Rhodesia Tapes

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31009, 15 March 1966, Page 18

R.S.A. Turns Down Rhodesia Tapes

The executive of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association decided to take no action on a letter from the Aid To Rhodesia movement which offered free tape-recordings.

A letter from the secretary of the Aid to Rhodesia movement (Mr H. Gibson) said that two tapes made in New Zealand gave the case for Mr lan Smith’s government—“information withheld from you in the daily press.” They could be made available. Mr A. S. Farrar said it would not do any harm to hear the tapes. It was far better to know both sides to a situation, he said. Mr T. A. McCormick said Rhodesia was a matter for the individual. “It is not a subject for the R.S.A., no matter what our personal views may be,” he said. “Mind you, I am personally convinced we have not got the full story about Rhodesia here in New Zealand,” he said. “If we are to have these tapes do we have to do it under the auspices of the R.S.A. or as an open meeting?” asked Mr K. Humphrey. Mr Farrar asked if the Jel licoe Hall could be used so that if a number of members

of the R.S.A. wanted to hear the tapes they could do so. Mr G. McMillan said that if the tapes were to be heard he would prefer they were heard in private by the executive rather than in an open meeting. “Anyone interested in this Aid to Rhodesia movement can find out more about it if they really want to,” said Miss Rae. She would not like the tapes to be heard under the auspices of the R.S.A. “The R.S.A. should not leave itself open to any interpretation of having supported the activities of this movement,” said Mr Humphrey.