Govt urged to brief ‘Miss Universe’

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 15

Govt urged to brief ‘Miss Universe’

Parliamentary reporter The Government should brief “Miss Universe,” Miss Lorraine Downes, so that she was not put in compromising political situations, said the Labour member of Parliament for Papanui, Mr M. K. Moore. He was commenting on a South African newspaper report which said that Miss Downes had praised South Africa at a function hosted by the South African Minister for Foreign Affairs and Information, Mr Pik Botha. He had a copy of the report, which has run in the “Pretoria News.” “It is sad to see Miss Downes, who I am sure is a good person, being used in this fashion,” Mr Moore

said. “The world of politics is a hard world and there are people out there who will make use of any individual to further their political ends.” “She is an honorary ambassador for New Zealand and I would hope that the Government will brief her and advise her so that she is not put in difficult political situations,” Mr Moore said. “It seems Miss Downes met Mr Botha in a publicity gimmick to boost that regime.” The appointment of Miss Downes as an honorary ambassador for New Zealand was a good idea, but unfortunately South Africa had a far more sinister motive than that of promoting New Zealand, Mr Moore said. Mr Moore’s comments were dismissed by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Talbot, who told the Press Association that Mr Moore was trying to stir up issues that had no real importance. “If what the statement says is correct and Miss Downes has gone to South Africa, I see nothing wrong with that,” he said.

“South Africa is South Africa and so what? I think if she can help to build some bridges in South Africa or some other countries in the honorary position that she has, surely we are not going to be so narrow-minded as to be concerned about that.” Mr Talbot said the Government had no intention of advising Miss Downes on ,such situations. Her ambassadorial position was honorary. Mr Talbot said that Miss Downes’ reported comments had no political significance whatsoever.