Maoris upset about search of home

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33538, 20 May 1974, Page 14

Maoris upset about search of home

(Aew Zealand Press Association/ AUCKLAND, May 19. Dr O. R. W. Sutherland, spokesman on justice for the Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination. said that senior police officers searched his home vesterdav afternoon.

“The search was in connection with matters directly relating to material contained in A.C. O.R.D.’s written submissions to the Select Committee on the Children and Young Persons Bill last month.” said Dr Sutherland. “I was questioned byi Detective-Superintendent B. Wilkinson, accompanied by a' detective-inspector from Wellington and an Auckland detective, for two and a half to three hours yesterday morning at my home,” said Dr Sutherland. “In the afternoon

Detective - Superintendent , Wilkinson and another detective returned and searched my home.” Superintendent Wilkinson is head of the Christchurch Criminal Investigation Branch. "My home contains most of A.C.O.R.D.’s official material.” he said. Dr Sutherland added that he was expected to attend a further hearing at the central ■ police station in Auckland 1 tomorrow. . A meeting of Auckland ! Maoris at Te Unga Waka Roman Catholic marae in ’ Newmarket said they were > outraged about the search of Dr Sutherland’s home. The i president of the New Zealand

Maori Council (Mr G. Lattimer) said he would back Dr Sutherland “all the way.” Telegrams of protest will be sent to the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk), the Minister of Justice (Dr Finlay), the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Rata), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Marshall), and Sir Roy Jack, Opposition M.P. for Rangitikei.