Mob threats to mediator

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34047, 10 January 1976, Page 1

Mob threats to mediator

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. January 9. A Maori warden who 1 attempted to quieten the Mongrel Mob before its involvement in the Taumarunui shooting last week-end was threatened with violence, the police said today.

The Commissioner of Police (Mr K. B. Bumside) said today that the police had sent a Maori warden, aged 60, to talk to the Mongrel Mob group an hour before its fatal clash with the police. “They threatened him with violence,” Mr Bumside said.

It was police practice, he said, to involve relatives and mediators in confrontations with armed offenders. Mr Burnside was commenting on an assertion by a Palmerston North city councillor, Mr S. Mihaere, that a Ma,ori mediator could have forestalled the clash.

Mr Mihaere said that be was speaking front general experience with Palmerston North Mongrel members and without specific knowledge of the Taumarunui incident. Mr Burnside also said that the advice offered by a Wftikato University lecturer in psychology. Dr D. R. Thomas, was already known to the police. Dr Thomas had urged police communication with bikie groups. “It has long been police practice to establish dialogue where possible.” Mr Burnside said. “Some gangs are not very receptive, and it does not automatically follow that there will not be some offending.” “We will do nothing unlawful or take any action that is likely to escalate a situation,” Mr Bumside said. “Common sense alone would dictate this course — and most people will credit the police with this.”