Five arrested during protest at Lindhorst farewell

Press, 13 March 1982, Page 2

Five arrested during protest at Lindhorst farewell

PA Wellington Five people were arrested on charges of disorderly behaviourwhile protestihg outside the diplomatic farewell for the South,African 1 ConsulGeneral, Mr Paul Lindhorst, •? in , Wellington on Thursday evening. ■ . , About 60 anti-apartheid protesters demonstrated outside the St George Hotel, the venue for the farewell. A protest spokesman, Mr Gboff Walker, said the group had gathered as representa-

tives of the “oppressed , black people of South Africa? -The demonstrators missed catching sight of their target, as Mr -Lindhorst and, Mrs Lindhorst entered* by’another door, but- cries of “Shame” and;. ./‘Don’t ; ’drink” ? /were ; . directed at the-Minister-of Police and Maori Affairs (Mr Couch) and Mrs Couch.” ’ The couple;-assisted by a constable and hotel staff, ipushed through the crowd. 5 When the first guests arrived only one policeman was on hand, but later police numbers rose to about 30, both uniformed and plainclothed. The police would take a stronger line with protesters who harassed people attending functions, said Mr Couch yesterday. Mr Couch said that on too many occasions lately innocent: people, some of them 'women, had been harassed and threatened by what could Ohly be described as ■'screaming,: bullying louts. Labour’s acting spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Mr F. D. O’Flynn, said that now was the opportunity for the Government to close the South African, consulate, He described its activities as openly propagandist..'