Civil liberties 'a' growings cause'

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32589, 24 April 1971, Page 9

Civil liberties 'a' growings cause'

There are “datihfte indications” that the cause of civil liberties is strongly supported in New -Zeatthtf, fttfe secretary of the Canterbury Council for Civil Liberties (Mr W. Rosenberg) saySlft his annual report.

Mr Rosenberg says, however that. evpn . with, the . best legislation in the--world, civil liberties are in'Hanger unless there is a constant, strong backing for their maintenance among thefnftlii. “In this respect there has been sornif progress in New Zealand recent years with the npewing up of radio and thidifistdJf.ljo more controversial public- debate," he

says. Public bodies are aware increasfngty of the need for the Government to abstain from statements which may undermine the public’s attitude to free expression. He instances bury <ouncil, in May last year against the threatened i reduction-of funds, in view “pißHc impatience with denjdemonstrations.” {“lf Stere is such impatience it. should be made up to the Government to educate the public in more tolerant attitudes,” says Mr Rosenberg.

Recognition of dissent The council sees the growing recognition of the right to show dissent as “a good sign” for civil liberties in New Zealand, but describes remarks by Magistrates about “bad taste and ill manners” as indicative of a general tendency to view actions opposed to established conventions as in bad taste, he says.

“The attitude implies that many New Zealanders have a long way to go before the value of dissenting opinion is realised as a motive force which makes a democracy tick.”

In conjunction with the right to demonstrate, the council had read with approval a number of statements by the Commissioner of Police stressing the duty of the police to protect demonstrators.

Mr Rosenberg says that the basis of the council's endeavours to have the powers of the enforcement agencies of the State strictly circumscribed, is the consideration that there is always a conflict between administrative convenience and justice. Government as a rule wished to govern with the least difficulty. Individuals, on the other hand, wished to have their rights protected by

“Appeal to the law and the Courts may lead to a delay in law-enforcement,” he says. “There may be drawbacks in this and Government is for ever aware of these drawbacks. But the protection of the individual against arbitrary use of power is so important that some delay in the use of this power is often desirable, even where speed and convenience seem to justify ignoring important safeguards for the individual."