Security Service

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 12

Security Service

Sir,—“Back up the Brig” criticises "the Boshiefs and Finlays” and “smarty-pants television interviewers" for their temerity in questioning the role of the New Zealand security service. 1,. for one. was most appreciative of Brian Edwards’s pertinent questioning and reiteration of democratic principles in his interviewing iff Brigadier Gilbert—an interview in pleasing contrast to the social inanities of most television Interviews. ; When security precautions encroach on civil 1 liberties we should support ! those who publicly defend , democracy.—Yours, etc., B. SHALDERS. May 8, 1969. i Sir,—Mr Holyoake is fool- [ ing no-pne on the Security ’ Service Issue. When Rewi i Alley was here in 1964, he

was hounded from place to placp by security officers. They followed his car with glaring headlights and had their agents at all his meetings. Rewi vowed it was the last time he would come back to New Zealand—this in spite Of the fact that he was wounded three times in the service of his country in 1917 and received an award for bravery. What harm are Rewi and his friends going to do New Zealand? The Chinese are his friends, and their form of government is very successful. Can we say that ours is, also?—Yours, etc., P.J.A. April 28. 1969. Sir,—“Scrutineer’s” reference to the 0.G.P.U., Gestapo, etc., fall to lower my blood temperature by a single degree. Granted that we don’t want anything approaching these organisations here; but among the types which our much-maligned security service does its duty by keeping an eye on are some which would probably find jobs with such bodies as these if this country were ever unfortunate enough to be under the heel of an invader. If by “true-blue New Zealanders" are meant people who object to the activities of the growing number of these individuals, who enjoy this country's living standards while openly or secretly owing allegiance to totalitarian States, then “Scrutineer" can write mejjown as.a tb. N.Z.er—with knobs on.—Yours, etc., BACK UP THE BRIG. May 8, 1969.