CZECH PROTEST 500 Demonstrators Meet In Wellington

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 28

CZECH PROTEST 500 Demonstrators Meet In Wellington

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 26.

New Zealand should boycott all social functions held or organised by the Soviet Legation in New Zealand until Russia withdrew its forces from Czechoslovakia.

This proposal was made to more than 500 demonstrators in the grounds of Parliament Buildings early this afternoon by the Labour Junior Whip (Mr R. L. Bailey).

The demonstrators were protesting aeainst the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Russia and other Warsaw Pact nations.

Speaking from a wooden dais—and without the benefit of a loud-speaker—Mr Bailey told the crowd they were gathered to voice their protest democratically. •■That is something the people of Czechoslovakia are denied doing,” he said. Commenting that 1968 was the International Year of Human Rights. Mr Bailey said some of the countries which had signed had violated the agreement “viciously and unforgiveably.” Red, white and blue Czech flags dotted the front of the crowd. Czech Children About 30 police posted strategically round the grounds enjoyed the sunshine. The crowd was more than 300 bv 12.30 pan. when the rally began. They were kept behind steel barricades. A group of about 50 members of the Czechoslovak

community assembled at the main gate of Parliament grounds, then marched up the drive to join the gathering. They included two flagcarrying children in Czechoslovak national costume. Motion Passed The rally passed by accalamation the following motion: “The public meeting convened today by the Victoria University of Wellington Student Action Committee on

Czechoslovakia wishes to express to the Government of the Soviet Union through the offices of the Minister of External Affairs its strongest opposition to Soviet action in Czechoslovakia as a clear breach of international law and more specifically a violation of that nation’s sovereignty, which the Soviet Union professes to support. The armed intervention of the Soviet Union shows up the hypocrisy of that country, which has been so quick to condemn similar measures by other governments in the past.” A deputation from today’s speakers and members of the Student Action Committee presented the resolution to the Prime Minister today. House Debate The Prime Minister told the deputation he would consider whether Parliament should hold a special foreign affairs debate on the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia — but would first consult with the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk). The Soviet actions in Czechoslovakia were not the actions of Communists, said a leaflet handed out by the Wellington district of the Communist Party of New Zealand, today. “The Soviet leaders have shown they have long since abandoned the path to communism." said the leaflet. Members of the Student Action Committee on Czechoslovakia handed out 15,000 leaflets to passers-by in Wellington streets early today urging the public to attend the demonstration in Parliament grounds. Several members of the public helped in distributing the leaflets.