New group complains of ‘racist’ tag

Press, 4 February 1982, Page 3

New group complains of ‘racist’ tag

New Force, the right-wing political party formed in Petone last May, has .complained *to the Chief Ombudsman (Mr G. R. Laking) and the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay) about a Race Relations Office investigation into fillegations that the group is “racist.” Mr B. W. Zandbergen, who stood unsuccessfully for the Western Hutt electorate in last year’s General Election, said New Force believed the investigation had been handled in an “unethical manner unbecoming of a branch of the Government.” He said the complaint to Mr Laking was an attempt to rectify the way in which the Race Relations Office had conducted itself. He hoped Mr McLay would intervene to ensure the office conducted itself “appropriately.” Mr Zandbergen released copies of letters. between himself and the Race Relations Office. The first letter, written by an investigating officer in December, said a complaint which labelled New Force as “racist,” had been lodged with the office. It asked for comment from Mr Zandbergen and said a decision would then be made on whether the complaint came within the conciliator’s jurisdiction. Mr Zandbergen replied on December 18, asking for details of the complaint. He asked for a definition of “racist,” the reasons given for the complaint and the section of the Race Relations Act which New Force was said to have breached. No reply to the letter was received, said Mr Zandbergen. He sent a second letter on Monday, saying he was unhappy with the handling of the matter and would complain to Mr Laking.

In his letter to Mr Laking, Mr Zandbergen said the Race Relations Office had failed to give New Force specific information about the complaint and yet had kept the news media “fully informed.” The conduct of the Race Relations Office was “unethical, dishonourable and unjust,” he said. The office also appeared to have breached provisions of procedure in the act. The Race Relations conciliator (Mr Hiwi Tauroa) said yesterday the complaint about New Force would be considered by the Race Relations Commission on February 9. His office had sought a legal opinion about the complaint and decided the question was one for the full commission. Mr Tauroa said he believed there was no substance to Mr Zandbergen’s criticism of the investigation. The office “could have written,” but it would have been only to say that the complaint was still being considered. His office had not been keen to reply since Mr Zandbergen had said all correspondence would be made public. Mr Laking said from Wellington that he could not comment on the information provided by New Force. He could not comment on whether the complaint had been received or what action would be taken. Mr McLay was not available yesterday afternoon, but his private secretary (Mr G. P. Duffy) confirmed that he had received Mr Zandbergen’s letter. Mr McLay would consider the complaint, but Mr Duffy said he was unlikely to do anything if the matter was in the hands of Mr Laking.