Security Moves Will Not Bar Demonstrations

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31631, 18 March 1968, Page 22

Security Moves Will Not Bar Demonstrations

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON,

March 17.

The presence of an anti-Vietnam conference in Wellington at the same time as the conferences of the South - East Asia Treaty Organisation has not influenced planning of security measures.

A “security area” similar to that of the last conference has been established within Parliament Buildings, into which nobody without the required pass will be able to

penetrate but outside this area life in the buildings will go on much as before. Members of the public with the usual appointments will be able to visit the rooms of Ministers and private members as usual.

The responsibility for law and order in the Parliamentary grounds rests with the police. Members of the public will be able to enter the grounds and demonstrations inside the grounds would be interfered with only if they should break the normal rules of orderliness and propriety required anywhere outside Parliament gates.

If a deputation required access to the Prime Minister’s suite, this could be obtained

under the usual requirements. The internal security area will be under military guard night and day and about 20 guard posts will be manned during the conferences. S.E.A.T.O. military advisors will meet from March 28 to 29, and the S.E.A.T.O. Ministerial Council meeting will be held from April 2 to 3.

The conferen.e of the nations involved with the United States th the Vietnam war will be held on April 4. The A.N.Z.U.S. partners will meet on April 5. About 80 delegates, with aides and staff members, will attend.