P.M. ‘pleased’ about Sutch case verdict

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33776, 24 February 1975, Page 16

P.M. ‘pleased’ about Sutch case verdict

.New Zealuni Prase Association/

WELLINGTON, February 23.

The Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) said he was “pleased at the outcome’’ when he heard at his hotel in Paris that Dr W. B. Sutch had been acquitted of charges under the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Rowling said that the Official Secrets Act had been invoked only once, which hardly added up to “repressive legislation.” Any legislation needed scrutiny from time to time. Asked about possible action I to amend the act, Mr Row-H ling said this had not been ’ looked at yet. But it was

■highly likely ha would have to look at it “among a large number of things” when he returned to New Zealand. In Auckland, Dr O. R. W. Sutherland said that the act deprived people of normal [ liberties and rights, and should be repealed. Describing himself as oneof only three people against whom the act had been used.j Dr Sutherland said it gave' the State a”d the police tooj wide a now’er. Dr Sutherland was particu-

ilarly critical of the section (of the act under which he said a person, even if not arrested, must attend a police (interview and answer every question the police ask. “You are bound to answei every question, even if the answers incriminate you.” Dr i Sutherland said. “In ordinary criminal proceedings you don't have to answer questions which i might incriminate you. “But under the act if you don’t attend the interview or refuse to answer questions you are liable to seven years gaol.” he said. ABOLITION URGED ; In Wellington, the Sutch (Defence Committee said in a (statement that it would proImote a campaign to abolish the Security Service. The committee said it had raised more than $l5OO by public subscription in thethree months since it was( formed. It said it was dangerous to have a security service which was not answerable to anyone, which spent taxpayers’ money with no apparent control, and which bred suspicion and fear among New Zealanders be-! cause of the secrecy of its; structure.