Lawyer Complains Of Police Treatment

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 26

Lawyer Complains Of Police Treatment

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 20. A protest against police treatment of lawyers who attempted to see clients arrested in anti-All Black tour demonstrations in June was made in the Magistrate’s Court today by a Wellington barrister.

Mr R. S. Clark, who was appearing for a 21-year-old law student charged With obstructing the police during the sit-down demonstration' on June 12, told Mr W. J. Mitchell, S.M.: “As a barrister myself I make a protest at the way we were treated on the night of the demonstrations.

sed by the Magistrate. Greer had pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant L. E. Cooper said he told Greer to leave the area because he and others were obstructing the roadway. Greer moved a short distance, then rejoined the group. Greer refused again to move and was subsequently arrested.

“It took me no less than three hours to se” my client from the time I first asked to see him, and during that time the police threatened me twice with arrest for wilful trespass on the station.” But Mr Clark said he did not wish to take the matter any further at this stage. The charge against Kerry Alexander Greer was dismis-

In evidence, Greer said he become caught in the crowd. As he struggled free to one side a policeman hit him on the face, knocking his spectacles to the ground He went looking for his glasses. The Magistrate said he was inclined to accept the police view of what happened. However, it was possible that Greer’s explanation had been misconstrued.