FILMING DEMONSTRATIONS Police Supported By People, Says M.P.

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31836, 14 November 1968, Page 26

FILMING DEMONSTRATIONS Police Supported By People, Says M.P.

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 13. The average New Zealander would be solidly behind the police in their filming of demonstrations as a means of maintaining law and order, Mr H. R. Lapwood (Nat., Rotorua) claimed in Parliament today.

Speaking during the debate on members’ questions and Ministerial replies, Mr Lapvvood, a former member of the police force, said a question asked by Dr A. M. Finlay (Lab., Waitakere) concerning police action in filming a peaceful anti-Vietnam war demonstration in Auckland last month was “a deliberate attack on the police.”

Dr Finlay asked the Minister of Police (Mr .Mien) early this month what possible justification there was for putting and keeping on notice files a movie film and still photographs of persons exercising their lawful rights in a proper and peaceful manner. Mr Allen replied that the taking of photographs by the police would in future be confined to a disorderly or undesirable incident which took place during a demonstration.

He said sueh a film or photograph could provide valuable evidence in the case of any court action, and also as a protection for the police Mr Lapwood said the pictures taken at the Auckland demonstration could have been vital in the event o* a court case. “Some of the demonstrations in the past could well have been filmed, especially the one outside this House at the opening of Parliament These films would have been very useful to the police,” he said. Clarification Sought Mr N. V. Douglas (Lab., Auckland Central) denied that Dr Finlay had made an attack on the police—he was merely seeking clarification with his questions. He said no member of Parliament enjoyed the confidence of the police more than Dr Finlav. Mr E. S. F. Holland (Nat., Fendalton) claimed that no matter what Mr Douglas might say there was in Dr Finlay’s question a very’ definite criticism in the methods and tactics used by i the police. He said the Labour Party! should make it qfiite clear what its attitude was to the police.

‘'•The National Party believes that the duty of the police is to maintain law and order to protect the rights of the citizen and to use whatever methods to achieve this appropriate to the particular situation.” said Mr Holland. ‘Politically Inspired’

He said that to a very large degree public demonstrations were politically inspired ac-

tions and not the actions of a suppressed minority. Mr Holland said he was aware that any small incident at a demonstration could inflame an undiscipline I mob but the police during demonstrations had shown “admirable restraint” Other Opposition speakers claimed that the Labour Party was “second to none" in its high regard for the New Zealand police force. Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab., Riccarton) said the Labour Party believed in law and order and would maintain it and support the rule of law “We-. have the utmost respect for the outstanding work of the police and it illbehoves the Government to suggest that the Opposition is at cross purposes with the police and law and order," he said. ‘Guilty People’ Mr A. McCready (Nat., Otaki) said the only people who complained about the police taking photographs were generally people who were guilty of breaking the law. “It is all right for the police to be photographed but it is a crime for the police to photograph anyone.” be said. Mr McCready said it was not always possible to determine whether a demonstration which began quietly would develop into something out of hand. Dr Finlay, in defending his original question, said neither he nor the Opposition condoned unseemly and particularly ugly breaches of the peace. Comment Accepted He said he had invited Mr Allen to comment on the pro-

priety of the police taking pictures of people exercising their lawful rights in a proper and reasonable manner. The Minister accepted the validity of his comments and said any future films would be confined to any disorderly or undesirable incidents said Dr Finlay. “There is no objection to that," he said.