On 30 January 1948 Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi as he was on his way to address a prayer meeting. As a pacifist freedom fighter he inspired a non-violent approach to social and political change. Gandhi was sympathetic and supported the causes of women and the untouchables, but his main concern centred on breaking down the communal divide that was building between the Hindus and the Muslims of British India. Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Gandhi by shooting him thrice in his chest at close range point resented Gandhi and held him responsible for being accommodating to the cause of the Muslims.

This letter of condolence comes from a file from Walter Nash’s political papers collection. Nash was Minister of Finance in the first Labour Government at the time of the assassination. He was at a UN Conference in Havana when the telegram was sent. Nash sent this cable to the people of India extending his condolence on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Nash stepped in as a prime minister in 1957 under the Labour Government. His term is well known for the ‘Black Budget’ of 1958 presented by finance minister Arnold Nordmeyer that saw an increase in taxes on goods such as petrol, cigarettes and beer. Nash’s government also came under attack during the 1960 rugby tour of South Africa when on the insistence of the South African government Maori players were excluded from the All Black team to South Africa.

Archives Reference: AEFZ 22618 W5727 39 63 1052-1335 archives.govt.nz/events/walters-world-nash-collection

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