Security

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31090, 20 June 1966, Page 12

Security

Sir,—ln my opinion the security service in New Zealand is inefficient, ill-informed and a liability rather than an asset. In May, 1962, the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands refused me an entry permit. The issue was debated in the House of Representatives on no fewer than three occasions; it was only when Mr Albert Henry became Premier that 1 received a personal invitation from his Government to visit the Cook Islands. As it is common knowledge that the security service exchanges information with other countries in the free world, I find it somewhat mysterious that, while travelling recently to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Macau, on no occasion was there any difficulty in obtaining visas or entry to these countries. I think there is something radically wrong with a security service that hands in a report to a Minister of the Crown which has proved to be both inaccurate and a restriction on the rights of a New Zealand citizen to move freely within the bounddaries of his own country.— Yours, etc., G. F. MILLS. Wellington, June 18, 1966. Sir,—lf security agents reported their findings only to their own offices it would be bad enough. For the knowledge of authority observing the individual distracts many

from thinking freely (Big Brother is watching you!). But if the security agent’s information is passed on to employers and to foreign Powers, with the possible exclusion, say, from travel into the United States, fear will influence thought and expression deeply. There is no place for security spies in universities or any other part of a free society. The greatest threat to our democratic way of life is a secret police. Congratulations to the students of Auckland University who have unveiled white-anting of democracy in our little country.—Yours, etc., CIVIL LIBERTIES. June 18, 1966.