Tape of rebel songs led to break-in

Press, 9 July 1981, Page 2

Tape of rebel songs led to break-in

PA Wellington A cassette tape of Irish rebel songs was the target of the man who in May broke into the Parliamentary office

of Mrs Mary Batchelor, the member for Avon, it was said yesterday. Labour Party sources said the tape was being sought to liven up a late-night party being hosted by the member for Papanui, Mr M. K. Moore, for trade unionists attending the Labour Party conference.

Mr Moore had previously lent the tape to Mrs Batchelor.

An Auckland trade unionist and party official decided to see if Mrs Batchelor’s office was open. A group left Mr Moore's Office, discovered Mrs Batchelor’s officewas locked, and decided to “lean on the door.” Reports variously say that the man involved “didn’t know his own strength” or the door frame “was very weak.” It gave way. Whether the tape was found is unclear. Later that morning, the cleaning staff discovered the broken door and reported it to Parliament’s security staff, who alerted the police.

Mrs Batchelor arrived soon after the police and was reported to be distressed. She

said nothing appeared to have been taken or anything else broken.

Labour sources said tfiat later that morning, May 14, some of her colleagues explained to her what had happened. They apparently then discussed it with the police officer in charge. Labour sources said they thought that with apologies all round, the incident was closed.

However, on Monday,. almost two months later, the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) announced that he had been advised of the identity of the person responsible. The director of operations at Police Headquarters, Wellington, Superintendent I. L. Mills, said.no decision had been made as to what action would be taken.

On Tuesday, and again .yesterday, Mr Mills said he had .not yet seen the file. The clerk of the House (Mr C. P. Littlejohn) said yesterday that the decision whether to prosecute was over to the police. He said no-one had come to him from the Labour Party with an explanation of what had happened. Mr Muldoon was apparently informed of the result of the inquiry in his role as Minister in charge of the

Legislative Department. The man who is alleged to have broken the door declined yesterday to comment to the “Auckland Star.” He would not say if he had been at the party, at the conference, or in Wellington at the time.

Entertaining friends and party workers in Parliament is a task for members of the House during both the Labour and the National party conferences. Mrs Batchelor yesterday declined to confirm that she had discussed the break-in with other Labour members.

“It would be best if you discussed it with the others,” she said. “As far as I was concerned, it was put in the hands of the police.”

Asked if she still wanted to press charges, she said, “I don’t think that is up to me. As far as I am concerned I think it is out of my hands.” Asked if she was satisfied as to what happened, she said, “I am still angry. It is an invasion of your privacy that annoys you. Other than that, I imagine the whole thing is finished.”

As to the tape, she had borrowed one, and it was still there after the break-in. She did not get round to playing it and thought she might have returned it.