Church against ‘bugging’

Press, 14 August 1980, Page 22

Church against ‘bugging’

’A Auckland The Auckland presbytery of the Presbyterian Church is opposed to listening devices. At its bi-monthly meeting the presbytery went into committee to discuss the Use of secret listening devices.. . ’ After some 20 minutes of discussion it decided to release the text of the approved recommendation. ■ The subject was raised as a consequence of the allegation. last month by the chairman of the Communist Party (Mr. R. C. Wolf) that he had found electronic listening equipment under his Grey Lynn house. At the time, Mr Wolf said the wire from, a microphone ran from his house into the basement of the neighbouring home of the moderator of the Auckland Presbytery (the Rev. Mave). , «■. " r■ Mr Mave was not present at the.-' presbytery’s meet-ing-as'he'.was'buVof Auck--

land on Church business. The statement issued later said: “We note Church members, as well as members of the public,, are asking the presbytery to declare its attitude to the placing of listening devices in the homes of private citizens by government agents. “We therefore state that while allowing full in-, dividual rights of conscience to all members and ministers we, as a presby--tery, reaffirm our concern about the. use of listening’ devices as stated at the

time of the introduction of the Security . Intelligence Service Amendment Act. “We oppose the placing of listening devices in the homes jof citizens without recourse to either Parliament or a court of law.” . The, Rev. P. Wedde, who is' chairman of the committee’ which' brought up the issue, said after Wards that the recommendation would be sent to Auckland members ofSParl lament.