P.M. Defends Human Rights Activities

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31762, 20 August 1968, Page 24

P.M. Defends Human Rights Activities

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 19.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said today that he could not agree that the International Year of Human Rights was “something of a farce” in New Zealand.

Mr Holyoake was commenting on a statement by the assistant general secretary of the National Council of Churches (the Rev. R. M. O’Grady), who said that almost two-thirds of the year had gone without one significant contribution from New Zealand. “It must be understood that the activities in connection with human rights are intended to give effect to the principle of human rights within the country concerned,” Mr Holyoake said. “Some time ago the Government advised the United Nations of its programme for human rights here. The proposals in the programme have been implemented or are in the course of being implemented.”

Mr Holyoake said these included the ratifying of two conventions—one on forced labour and the other on the political rights of women. The Government was also bearing a portion of the cost of a major discussion on human rights, to be held in Auckland later in the year. The Government had also asked non-Government bodies to -stimulate public interest and discussion in various ways, and this was being done, Mr Holyoake said. “It is generally recognised that human rights are well established in New Zealand and also there is not a great deal that can be accomplished by Government action apart from the programme I have mentioned,” he said.