Coroner’s finding prompts Chase inquiry moves

Press, 10 December 1983, Page 8

Coroner’s finding prompts Chase inquiry moves

PA Wellington A lawyer, Mr M. A. Bungay, said he will talk to members of the Chase family today about further moves to get a full public inquiry into the police shooting of Paul Chase in April.

Mr Bungay said he was pleased with the result of yesterday’s inquest into the death of Mr Chase. The Coroner, Mr A. D. McGregor, said he thought the police action in using armed policemen to force their way into the Chase home was “precipitate.” Mr Bungay said the important difference between what the Coroner had heard and what an Auckland Queen’s Counsel, Mr Colin Nicholson had based his report on was the information concerning Mr Chase’s employment. Mr Chase’s uncle, Mr Leon Chase, said the family still wanted a full public inquiry so that the matter

would not be “whitewashed with Nicholson’s report.” Mr Chase said he considered the whole matter racist — “Paul has been taken out because he is Maori.” He said he would take the matter up with the Race Relations Conciliator.

Mr Maanu Paul, representing the Ngati Awa tribe in Bay of Plenty, of which Mr Paul Chase was a member, said he was pleasantly surprised by the Coroner’s comments.

“This inquest validates our position. They validate our call for a public inquiry. “The Coroner has agreed with Mr Bungay that there were alternatives. The police need the scrutiny of a public inquiry. Nothing else will force the police to change,” he said. Mr Paul said the Ngati Awa people would push, through the New Zealand Maori Council and politicians, for a public inquiry to be held.