Bikies ”scapegoats for others’ crime”

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34047, 10 January 1976, Page 2

Bikies ”scapegoats for others’ crime”

Much of the gang trouble attributed to bikies in New Zealand was not caused h\ bikies at all, but by loosely-organised groups which were not recognised by established bikie gangs, said New Zealand's only full-time social worker with the bikies, Nir C. \\ . Jeffery, who is shown above, vesterdav.

“Established bikie ■groups are making a definite attempt to keep their activities within the law and under their own control,” he said. They were doing this by forming clubs and establishing clubhouses where mem-

bers could meet, sleep entertain other groups, and fix their motor-cycles. “Most of the established clubs have gone through showing class (deliberately antagonising those who can least accept them) and are satisfied to get on with doing their own thing.” There were six established bikie groups in New Zealand. and they did not like being blamed and penalised for the actions of young poorly-organised gangs, said Mr Jeffery, who has been working with New Zealand bikies since the mid-19605, ■and spent two years in Germany doing postgraduate work in applied sociology. Cars, not bikes “Many of these young • groups seem to be at the first stage of showing class and are being egged on by I the news media. They keej I scrap-books of all the cuttings and revel in the publicity.” said Mr Jeffery. “These young groups are common in State housing areas such as Aranui. Waiinoni, Otara. and Porirua where the young have little ■ to do but circulate betweer ! their homes, the pool-rooms, ; and the hamburger bars.” The Mongrel Mob was one of these groups, and it used mostly V 8 cars, not bikes. “These groups are being labelled as bikies, but are not recognised by the bikie fraternity. They fit more into the black power gang

which usually comprises alienated young Maoris who are hitting at society. The bona fide bikies are being blamed for the violent behaviour of these groups, but it is none of their doing.” Mr Jeffery said that the I established bikie groups i wished to dissociate them-- ■ selves from the actions of! . the younger groups. Own bike ■ Mr Jeffery probably has ■the closest knowledge of thej activities of the bikies in New Zealand of anybody | outside the movement. He! ! rides a 7oocc Triumph Tri-1 I dent motor-cycle which is I | owned by the Presbyterian I Church, and is employed by the church’s parish development and mission committee. He tries to visit each ; bikie group at: least twice a [year and is continually (negotiating with the police task force, talking with lawlyers, and arranging finance I for land and clubhouses for the bikies. I "The authorities want all I the bikie groups to split up land be disbanded, but are I not offering any alternative [life-style for the members,” [he said. “There is much more [trouble from the poorlyorganised groups than from; the well-organised ones' which have control over their I members. If the individual members were kept in limbo, they would be more likely to offend against society. Group rules “I am not excusing gangs I fighting each other, but it is 'more easily controlled if the groups have strong cohesion.’’ The established gangs were making an effort to keep within the law, said Mr Jeffery. who cited a rule about drinking and riding in many (gangs. They have a rule that [if a member is considered toj [be drunk, he is prohibited! •from riding and has his bike! [keys taken from him. “I have! seen this happen several! • times.” said Mr Jeffrey. This I sort of rule would not work! in a loosely-organised gang. "The general public treats [the bikies as a scapegoat! ■ for their own inability’ to deal! with their own problems. Ai hell of a lot of people have

problems with drink and how they treat recreation, but: never admit this in them-i selves. And so by reading stories of other people’s problems and misfortunes they can push their own into the background,” said Mr! Jeffery. “The media give the pub-! lie what it wants, and the' magistrates and police are impressed with what they read in the newspapers. The laws are changed on what is being fed to the public in the media, but without sufficient i research.” Mr Jeffery said that it cost! about $lO,OOO to keep a per-! son in prison for a year, but this money could employmore than one social worker' who could prevent many! more than one person a vea'r going to prison. Bikies saw many faults in the way conventional, middleclass people lived, and wished to dissociate themselves with this way of life. They revelled in being “not quite 1 respectable,” but at the same time wished to remain within the law.