Allende visit 'interference’

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 3

Allende visit 'interference’

PA Wellington The Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs (Mr Comber) yesterday described the visit of Miss Isabel Allende, daughter of the late Chilean president//, as gross interference in New Zealand’s internal affairs. “How New Zealanders .can remain: silent when , a;visitor, whose, father had a lamentable record in ' upholding civil rights in his own.country, advocates support for an , illegal ban that continues to hurt our export trade, is beyond comprehension,” Mr Comber said in a statement he issued as Member of Parliament for Wellington Central.

“I have constantly urged the Federation of Labour to lift its morally selective trade ban against Chile and this is, J am sure, the view of the vast majority of New Zealanders. -

“Such a policy represents an arrogant abuse of power on the part of a so-called democratic organisation:” Mr Comber said he would like to see “this restrictive practice” challenged in the courts.

“It would be interesting to see' if the F.O.L. would be prepared to follow a court direction if it was proved that such a ban was contrary to our laws and indeed pur basic -freedom to .trade with whom we please,”-he said.- ; . It was . significant that in the aftermath of “the Soviet rape of. Afghanistan’; there was no F.0.L.-inspired’move to impose a trade ban against that country.. “Ms Allende ■ and her socialist sycophants.-in the Federation of Labour and

the Labour Party will no doubt be comforted by the turnout at her rallies,” Mr Comber said. “Any credibility that the cause may have had will shortly be lost -forever when it is realised how stupid -and politically selective it. is. “Obviously we should have -* sympathy ! for the victims of any oppression and at this time should not forget the plight of the Chileans who fled to New Zealand as- the result of Ms Allende’s 'late father’s purges and nationalisation of businesses,” Mr Comber said.