200 Oppose Ky’s Visit

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31269, 16 January 1967, Page 14

200 Oppose Ky’s Visit

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Jan. 15. A meeting of more than 200 people in Auckland today carried motions protesting at the visit to New Zealand next week of Air Vice-Marshal Ky, Premier of South Vietnam.

Committees were elected to organise a public protest meeting next week-end and demonstrations during Marshal Ky’s Auckland visit on January 25 and 26. The chairman of the Ky protest committee, formed at the meeting, Mr L. W. S. Reid, said demonstrations would be planned for wherever Marshal Ky was in the city. “We will have demonstrations the whole time Ky is in Auckland,” said Mr Reid.

“The basis of our opposition to his visit is that he represents no-one but the military forces in South Vietnam and he is supported by United States arms in a war against his own people. Another very strong reason for opposition to Marshal Ky’s visit was his declared admiration for Adolf Hitler, said Mr Reid. “We will keep the Federation of Labour and the Labour Party closely informed of our plans.” Refusing Invitations Seven M.P.s from the Auckland area have said they will refuse invitations to the Mayoral reception for Marshal Ky on January 25. Fifteen M.P.s have been sent invitations to the early evening cocktail party in the town hall arranged for Marshal Ky. Eight were not availabl; for comment tonight. Mr R. J. lizard, 1 M.P. for

Pakuranga, said he would not go because he did not believe that Marshal Ky was the head of a sovereign state. “He certainly was not elected,” said Mr Tizard. “I will not support the purpose of his visit.” Mr R. Macdonald, M.P. for Grey Lynn, and Mr J. L. Hunt, M.P. for New Lynn, said they would refuse invitations to the reception because they felt the money spent on Marshal Ky’s visit would be better spent raising the standard of living or providing medical aid to South Vietnam.

Mr N. V. Douglas (Auckland Central), Dr. A. M. Finlay (Waitakere), and Mr A. J. Faulkner (Roskill) also said they would not attend. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Watt, said last week that he would refuse his invitation. Most'local body mayors in Auckland said tonight they would attend the reception.