Mr Connelly queries tour statement

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 4

Mr Connelly queries tour statement

The Statement by the Minister of Police (Mr Gill) that he has .had no report from the Cbinmissioner of Police (Mr R.'J. Walton) on the Implications for law and order ? of ,a possible Springbok tour/next year is surprising/- 'says the Opposition’s : shadow Cabinet spokesman on police, Mr M. Connelly. Mr;'Gill had earlier said that disbrder was less likely now than in 1973 when the Springbok tour was proposed./ Mr Walton would have advised him if there were . any doubts about law and order, he said..

He was not aware of any contingency planning for a possible"l9Bl tour but, Mr Gill said, he would not be surprised if plans had been made. ■ ,

Mr Connelly said that for the proposed 1973 tour, the police reported to the Government in April. 1972 —

more than a year before — and also advised the Government that they were making contingency plans. Although both the Government and the Opposition were opposed to a tour in 1981 the possibility of a tour, and disruption, had to be considered, Mr Connelly said. For the 1973 tour, the Commissioner of Police had advised the Government that police involvement would not only be for the day of the match, but for every day that the tourists would be in New Zealand.

Police strength in some cities and towns would have to be depleted to mobilise sufficient police elsewhere to handle tour matches, Mr Connelly said.

The effectiveness of law enforcement would be reduced, particularly in police districts where the team was visiting and in districts which provided support..

The impact of any proposed tour would-have .implications for New Zealand’s international standing with other countries, its trade, and on international competition for all other sporting codes. ; , The Government' had an over-riding responsibility for the protection of people and their property, and the maintenance of law and order for the whole country which it could not set aside, Mr Connelly said. The public were entitled to look to the Government for a better explanation of preparations and planning in law and order than revealed by the' comments of Mr Gill, he said.

To deal with present work the police needed more manpower, transport and other resources. In the eventuality of any tour, what further resources would be considered by the Government, Mr ConnAllv ackpd