Protesters draw criticism from Govt and M.P.

Press, 20 October 1986, Page 4

Protesters draw criticism from Govt and M.P.

PA Wellington Protesters who forced gold prospectors off Coromandel Peninsula last week drew criticism from both the Government and the member of Parliament for Hauraki, Mr Graeme Lee (National). The Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard, said their actions were “illegal” and could not be condoned. He called the demonstrators a mob. Mr Lee said he was worried about where the protests were leading, some of the protesters’ actions were dangerous. Drilling contractors

were escorted out of the Whangapoua forest on Thursday after a two-day stand-off with 100 protesters which Mr Tizard said almost led to a confrontation with 30 police. During the showdown in a forest clearing, protesters were reported to have sat on equipment, blocked . the paths of trucks, and thrown newspaper in the air to prevent a helicopter from landing. Mr Lee said the incident represented a big strategy change by the demonstrators which turned the whole matter into a “powder keg that

could explode at any moment." "One illustration of the degree of potential danger was the throwing of objects, albeit mainly newspapers, into the helicopter blades,” Mr Lee said. Both Mr Lee and Mr Tizard agreed f that the contractors, trying to start work on ’ behalf of Newmont . Proprietary, Ltd, had a lawful right to go about their business. Both said the demonstrators should concentrate on hying to get the mining law changed, which Mr Lee called a “more positive involvement”