LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
From : The High Commissioner for Rhodesia, Celia Squire, lan Aitken, Ruth Christine Price, Alastair Macdonald, Nigel Nicolson, 1. P. Sheldon-Williams, R. Wakerell, the Rev. Edward I' • Spotter.
In Restriction
Sla,—Mr. Leo Baron's article, 'The Men of Gonakudzingwa,' in your January 8 issue, deliber- ately sets out to evoke sympathy for people who have been placed in restriction, not because of the Political views they hold, but because the Rhodesian government has good reason to believe that they are a danger to law and order.
Mr. Baron, a lawyer, should know better than most that law and order are essential to good government in any country in the world, but par- ticularly is this so in an underdeyeloped country the bulk of whose population is semi-illiterate, easily inflamed and greatly at the mercy of the intimidator, despite the utmost vigilance of a com- paratively small and thinly spread police force. However, if Mr. Baron honestly believes that re- striction of thugs and hooligans and potential in- cendiaries in these circumstances is evil; he is en- titled to his views. I take issue with him not against his right to publicise his beliefs but against the many Mis-statements contained in his article which combine to give a completely distorted picture to the public of this country.
Mr. Baron tells your readers that at the end of 1964 there were 'some 2,500 people' held in restric- tion. In fact, there were 1,760 persons held in restriction.
The restriction area is hardly as remote, and the conditions hardly as grim, as Mr. Baron makes them out to be. He admits to a railway line being within 200 yards of the camp. He forgot to mention that less than a mile away on the other side of the railway line lies the town of Malvernia with double- storey buildings, sanitation and electric light. His description of unbearable heat is hardly consistent With his own reference to the issue of four blankets Per man.
No chiefs have ever been restricted—only one headman.
The area of restriction is not a game forest, but is virtually all African Trust Land.
Mr. Baron's report implies gross overcrowding in the living conditions. Yet the accommodation of the restrictees is in accordance with regulations and passed by the health authorities. He says food is a serious problem, and the rations supplied are regarded by the restrictees as inadequate both in quantity and variety. Yet the basic rations for the restrictees were submitted to the Red Cross for their consideration and have been approved by that organisation. Complaints about food are inevitable M any sort of institution where rations are provided. These restrictees are the enemies of the ordin- arY African as the peace generally prevailing In the African townships since their removal to Gonakudzingwa testifies.
On whose side is Mr. Baron—that of the 99 per Cent of the population who want constitutional advance in peace or the I per cent determined to ‘v, rest power for themselves come what may? Let him declare himself.
Rhodesia House, Strand, WC2 E. R. CAMPBELL
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