Women pour wine on Dr Wall

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33869, 14 June 1975, Page 16

Women pour wine on Dr Wall

Zea’and Press Association/ WELLINGTON. June 13.

Irate women at the United Women’s Convention tonight drove the anti-abortionist member of Parliament, Dr G. A. Wall, from a social function, and poured wine over him. I

An official of the convention, which opened today, said afterwards that all members of Parliament were invited to the function, which was attended by about 1500 people. “I was close to where the ic-'dent took place." said the official. First, about eight peonle gathered round Dr Wall after an argument about his Hospitals Amendment Bill; broke out. The official said that she went over to the group and suggested that they should; “cool it” and they did. Later, a similar incident ’ developed involving about 30: women, who surrounded Dr; Wall and with locked arms| forced him towards an exit

. They and other delegates! I were nissing and calling: “Dr, . Wall leave. Out Dr Wall.” I I The official went over and! suggested that it would be' I better if Dr Wall left. Dr) i Wai! went to the conven-; tion’s press room and made a statement. Asked if the police intervened. the official said: - “There were no police pre- - sent and thev were not< needed.” > Dr Wall said in a telephone I interview late tonight that . the episode “could easilv be, i exaggerated.” The function was very) , pleasant, and he was enjoy-! I ing himself. Then some [.women started pushing and, shoving and someone threw! wine over him. .[ Dr Wall said that thev; . were not the responsible ; element of the convention. , Most of the women who! took part in the harassment were young. Dr Wall said that he went over to his hostess and told' her that for the smooth run-i ning of the function, it might! be better if he left.

i. He added that while some jwomen were gathering i around him, others were 11 forming a “buffer” against : them, ■} Among other members of ■ Parliament at the function! : were Mrs Mary Batchelor, Mr; E. E. Isbey and the Minister! • of Immigration (Mr Colman).!