Group drummer refused visa for N.Z. visit

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33803, 27 March 1975, Page 2

Group drummer refused visa for N.Z. visit

(New Zealand Press Association ■ WELLINGTON, March 26. The drummer in the Dionne Warvvicke group today appealed against the refusal of an entry visa for a four-day visit to New Zealand.

Mr R. L. MacLaren appeared in the Supreme Court at Wellington for Raymond Henderson Lucas in support of a motion under the Judicature Amendment Act. 1972. Dionne Warwicke is due to ibegin her tour at Auckland lon April 1, and to appear in the Christchurch Town Hall lon April 3. Lucas is seeking a review of the Immigration Department’s decision — and subsequently the decision of the Minister of Immigration — declining a visa for him to enter New Zealand. Mr Justice O’Regan said he would give his judgment tomorrow. Counsel said he did not believe that a court would ac-

-icept that the Executive could e I adopt a dictator-like approach r |to people who were in New „! Zealand for a matter of days. n Mr MacLaren said Lucas S i had a conviction in Canada e ’ for possessing two grams of j!cannabis 51 vears ago. for ! which a fine of $2OO in “inflationary Canadian curo.rencv” was imposed. d Since then he had been: n permitted.to return to Canada; Hi on several occasions as parti 'of the Dionne Warwicke; v ; group. ;- Replying, Crown counsel; (Mr D. P. Neazor) said the i e Ministry knew the charge; _ was possession of narcotics, i 3 “Beyond that I should say! that nobody in the depart- ■ e ment knew the nature of the! . narcotic,” Mr Neazor said. “But. we. accept what the affi- • davits say, that it was can-! .. nabis.”