Protesters noisy at Waitangi

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 1

Protesters noisy at Waitangi

PA Waitangi Evolution, not revolution, was the key to building a better New Zealand, said the Governor-General, Sir David Beattie, when he spoke at a Waitangi Day ceremony marred by protesters.

After the ceremony, Sir David rebuked protesters for trying to drown speeches during the newstyle commemoration of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi 145 years ago. In his address, Sir David said a nation would not be built by people squabbling among themselves. “We cannot do it by division. We must build on friendship, understanding, and a willingness to consider and respect differing points of view. “While some mistakes and wrongs of the past can

still be corrected — and should be — we cannot rewrite our history.

“But we can work now to shape our future,” Sir David said.

It was easy to give too much weight to the voices of small and vocal pressure groups. “The noise they made can cause us to forget the much larger group of moderate New Zealanders who prefer to work for improvement through evolution, rather than fight for it through revolution.

“But before we believe them we should ask them to demonstrate clearly the depth of their support. “We will not build a nation by squabbling among ourselves.

“We must work together — listening to, but not being swayed by, pressure groups with their own interests.”

Sir David said that on Waitangi Day, above all others, people should be sharing a commitment to building a peaceful and progressive country of many peoples, races, and beliefs. “I believe the basic good will is there. The rest is up to us."

As shouts and chants from protesters reached a crescendo, Sir David said, “In most countries, minorities would not even have a chance to be doing what they are doing today. That is what democracy is all about.

“While the great and largely silent majority works and lives in harmony, we are making progress. We should never forget that it is comparatively easy for enthusiasts, or extremists, to claim they are speaking for the majority.” Minutes before the Gover-nor-General rose to speak, the police were called to the Treaty Grounds when a flare was set off behind where the Vice-Regal party

was seated. Smoke and fumes drifted over the enclosure. Another flare went off in the path of Sir David as he retired after his formal address. In spite of this incident and noisy interruptions from the ranks of the 300strong Te Kotahitanga protest marchers, the ceremony was completed. There were no arrests.

As the protesters advanced on the official arena in front of the carved whare rununga, a cordon of Maori wardens created a barrier. Members of the formal Tai Tokerau concert party with their ceremonial spears helped strengthen the blockade line strung by the wardens.

At times the line was pressured, but it held in spite of the weight of protesters.

On two occasions, pakeha women associated with the protesters broke through from the crowd in other areas and rushed the official arena with a banner calling

on the celebrations to be stopped. The second occasion came as Sir David stepped to the microphone to speak. The women were bundled out swiftly by the Maori wardens, but before Sir David spoke he asked the public whether they wanted to hear what he said. The public responded with a resounding “aye.” Dame Whina Cooper entered the official arena visibly disturbed at the actions of the protest elements. Later the member of Parliament for Northern Maori, Dr B. C. Gregory, chairman of the two-day hui which preceded the observances, said he was “disappointed” with the reaction on the Treaty Grounds. The officer in charge of the Northland police district, Superintendent R. P. Silk, expressed disappointment at the need for police involvement after all involved had “bent over backwards” for the protesters. Further reports, page 8