POLICE ACTION DEFENDED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31279, 27 January 1967, Page 1

POLICE ACTION DEFENDED

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 26.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said today that it appeared the police involved with demonstrators against Air Vice-Marshal Ky in Auckland carried out duties in a “commendably tolerant but firm manner.”

A member of the Ky protest committee in Auckland had earlier asked the Prime Minister to “instruct the police to desist from further provocation and brutality.” Mr Holyoake, who had called for a report from the Minister of Police (Mr Allen) said in a reply to the committee: “Independent press reports as well as a Police Department report contain no evidence of police brutality and provocation. “On the contrary, the reports show that numbers of your co-demonstrators were both provocative and brutal in their behaviour towards our guests.” Asked To Comment

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt) said

today that nothing should be done to prevent people from congregating and expressing their point of view.

Mr Watt had been asked to comment on incidents arising out of protests against Air Vice-Marshal Ky’s visit to Auckland.

“I think it was most unfortunate this sort of thing should happen,” he said. “I am certain people should not be prevented from expressing their feelings, provided they are keeping within the law and not interfering with the freedom of other people. “We must not do anything to prevent people from congregating and expressing their point of view. If they are within the law, the police should not interfere with them,” said Mr Watt.