Transcript of interviews with Garfield Todd

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MS. 19707

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Typed transcripts, with manuscript corrections, of interviews conducted with Garfield Todd by Digby Hartridge, Oral Historian at the National Archives of Rhodesia. The interviews were conducted on 7-10 December 1970 and 10 September 1971 at Todd's home, Hokonui Farm near Shabani, Southern Rhodesia (now Zvishavane, Zimbabwe). The subjects covered include Todd's family background, career in New Zealand, emigration to Rhodesia in 1934, transfer to Dadaya and adaption to mission work, first involvement in politics, approach from Godfrey Huggins to become an MP, selection as a candidate and election in 1946, the referendum on federation, accession to the Premiership in 1953, selection of a Cabinet, Rhodesia Party merger with United Party, selection of candidates for 1954 election, Industrial Conciliation Bill, the value of commissions of inquiry, dissatisfaction with Lord Malvern, Kariba Dam, the franchise, United Rhodesia Party merger with Federal Party, reforms, 1956 railway strike, Wankie Colliery strike, warning to ANC in 1957, Ndabaningi Sithole, Joshua Nkomo, Sir Roy Welensky, background to Cabinet revolt and Todd's downfall, recall of Edgar Whitehead, formation of new United Rhodesia Party, 1958 election, developing Hokonui Farm, Grace Todd, 1960 call to suspend the constitution, Central Africa Party, resignation, New Africa Party, African leaders, break up of the Federation, restrictions, Harold Wilson's visit in 1965, anecdotes and overview.
Typed transcript of interview by Digby Hartridge in October 1970 with Stewart Edward Aitken-Cade (b. 1906), Leader of the Opposition in Southern Rhodesia, 1956-1958 and 1959.
Typed notes on an interview by Digby Hartridge in July 1972 with Leslie Hodson (b. 1902), member of the Reform Party and Chairman of the first Council of the University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Dates

Creation: 1970-1972

Extent

1 box

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. 19707].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Shelfmark:

MS. 19707

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 19707

Additional Description

Abstract

Transcript of interviews with Garfield Todd and supplementary interviews.

Biographical / Historical

Sir (Reginald Stephen) Garfield Todd (1908-2002) was born in New Zealand, attended Otago University and was ordained as a minister in 1931. In 1932 he married (Jean) Grace Wilson (1912-2001). They had three daughters. The Todds travelled to Southern Rhodesia as missionaries in 1934 and were based at Mashoko and then Dadaya missions where they ran a clinic and pioneered African education.

Todd was elected to parliament in 1946. He was elected leader of the United Party in 1953, thereby becoming prime minister of Southern Rhodesia, and remained in office until 1958. An advocate of 'no independence before majority rule' Todd was detained on the eve of UDI in 1965 and underwent further detentions and restrictions during the 1970s, being seen as a focus for opposition to the government. Following independence in 1980 Todd served as a senator for five years.

For a fuller biography, see the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.