Govt 'drops the mask'

Press, 9 August 1976, Page 2

Govt 'drops the mask '

PA Dunedin The Government is dropping its “mask of tolerance” because it is afraid of groups bent on reform, says Mr David ExeJ, the Labour Party’s new communications director.

Mr Muldoon and his Government were afraid now. because a great many people were beginning to listen to the reformers, Mr Exel told a regional seminar organised by the Dunedin youth branch of the Labour Party. Earlier, the Establishment had pretended to be tolerant of groups seeking reforms on issues such as nuclear arms, poverty, and discrimination against women, because few people were listening to the reformers. But the reformers had kept hammering away, and eventually New Zealanders had begun to listen, he said. “Then you get a whole new lot of problems, and that is where New Zealand is now.

I “A great many New Zeai landers were beginning to listen to the ideas of social I reformers, and consequently [a great many others became (frightened.” i And the National Party !had exploited these fears during the General Election, said Mr Exel. “None of this would be happening, I suggest, if the Prime Minister and a section of the community were not afraid.

“It’s at the stage now where the mask of tolerance drops.”

He accused the Government of trying to limit the freedom of communication of New Zealanders, and gave warning that a difficult time was ahead.

“I think some of us might have to go to gaol because there is a basic lack of tolerance, and a desire to shut people up.” However, the possibility of reform was now at its greatest.

"You can guarantee you’re beginning to get through, because the Government wouldn’t be hitting you on the head if you weren’t.”