'Personal attacks’ deplored

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 3

'Personal attacks’ deplored

PA : Wellington The Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs (Mr Comber) should get his facts right before launching “vicious personal attacks” on overseas visitors, said Labour’s candidate for Wellington Central, Mrs Fran Wilde, yesterday. Mrs Wilde, who will contest the seat against Mr Comber in the next election, was commenting on Mr Comber’s accusation that Miss Isabel Allende, daughter of the late Chilean president, was interfering in New Zealand’s internal affairs, “Miss Allende’s visit to

New Zealand could not in any way be construed as interference in our internal affairs,” Mrs Wilde said. “She is here on a speaking tour to present the facts on the present situation in Chile.” Mr Comber’s “obvious desire” to suppress the information she had was not in keeping with the philosophy of, a traditionally open society, and certainly was inconsistent with the fact that- the Government itself had acted as host to- a number of overseas visitors during the last year. “Is Mr Comber suggesting that any foreigner who

comes, here and who has the support of the Labour Party or the Federation of Labour should be muzzled?”- Mrs Wilde asked. For six years in succession the United Nations Human Rights Commission had condemned Chile for violations of human rights. New Zealand was among the countries which voted to that effect in the United Nations General Assembly last December. Far from condemning Miss Allende, Mr Comber should support her activities in the name of social justice, Mrs Wilde said.