Mr Couch attacks militant unionists

Press, 17 April 1982, Page 3

Mr Couch attacks militant unionists

PA Wellington New Zealanders should start taking Communist trade union leaders more seriously the Minister of Police (Mr Couch) told Parliament on Thursday evening. - In a sweeping attack on militant unionists, without naming them or any specific political party, Mr Couch told the House: “Qur refusal to take them seriously is the best weapon they have.” Mr Couch said he knew his speech would be dismissed by many as “Reds under the bed,” but a closer look should be taken at those using power against the country, “a clear-sighted look at what is happening.” “It’s time we started look-

ing hard at these people who start unnecessary .strikes at times deliberately designed to hurt most. . . who stir up racial tension," he said.

People who claimed the rights and privileges of being a New Zealander while giving their loyalty to a foreign Power were traitors. Those people had no place in New Zealand.

Earlier speaking during the continuing Add.ress-in-Reply debate, Mr Cotich said that protesting had become “New Zealand's growth industry,” but it was .unclear where-the money ‘came from to enable “the same old faces to turn up at every march ” In a reference to opposition to the visit of the United States nuclear-powered war-

ship Truxtun he told Parliament, “You will know all about protesting when the Truxtun gets here.” “Is that why' you invited it?” interjected a Labour member.

The hard-core protesters had been missing from the Solidarity march held by the Polish Association, said Mr Couch, many unions being “too busy sending money to S.W.-A.P.O. (the African guerilla organisation) to kill innocent people. . ....

Many people suspected that trade union .elements were also behind “the deliberate racial stirring that has been going on in this country for some time.”