INCIDENT IN 1961

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 16

INCIDENT IN 1961

MJ*. Quotes Hansard (Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 23. It was amazing and unbelievable that a member who accused another member of “character assassination" against him was the same member who, on a previous occasion, had spoken about a Mr Rosenberg, Mr J. G. Edwards (Opposition, Napier) said in Parliament tonight

He read from a 1961 Hansard which quoted the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) as saying:

“Mr Rosenberg was a refugee and was given asylum in New Zealand. He teaches at one of the universities, and because we have a tremendous belief in freedom we do not interfere with him, but allow him to abuse his position in the academic world by circulating propaganda which consistently follows the communist line.”

At that point, said Mr Edwards, the Speaker said: “I think it would be better if we left it at that.” But the member who was •speaking continued: “I appreciate that, but the point has been brought up and this man’s work on the International Monetary Fund is a disgrace to the academic fraternity. It is a disgrace because it shows no sign of academic integrity. People who claim the protection of academic freedom are expected to use academic discretion.” Mr Edwards said that a member who attacked other people under privilege, and who had libel claims against him for what he said outside the House paid for by the taxpayer, should also exercise discretion.