Only 4 Maoris in 99 arrested

Press, 11 February 1983, Page 1

Only 4 Maoris in 99 arrested

Only four Maoris were among the 99 people arrested during the Waitangi Day celebrations on Sunday, said the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, yesterday. “That is very significant. Clearly it was not a Maoribased protest," he said. “But the only news photograph I saw was of one of the four Maoris being taken away, and so that particular photographer was assiduous in his search for a photograph of a Maori being arrested." Mr Muldoon said he had not asked for a report on categories of people arrested. but that a report had been made by the Commis-

sioner of Police, Mr R. J. Walton, "who thought it was significant, as I do." Of the 99 people arrested four were Maoris, 57 were women, five were clerics, and one was a student cleric, Mr Muldoon said. "It looked like a reunion of those who took part in the Springbok protest.". Asked whether the police could be subject to charges of unlawful arrest for arresting without giving reasons — a point raised by the Opposition spokesman on Justice, Mr F. D. . O'Flynn - Mr Muldoon said citizens had legal channels to seek redress.

The changes to the cere-

mony made by the Waitangi Trust Board last year to minimise conflict seemed to have "gone over very well.” Mr Muldoon said. National members of Parliament who attended the ceremony reported nothing but approval of the restraint shown by the police, and an Opposition spokesman, the member for Eastern Maori. Dr Peter Tapsell, held the same opinion. From all accounts the ceremony was much more relaxed this year, in spite of larger numbers of protesters and attending public. Mr Muldoon said.

Governor-General, page 2