INNOCENTS ABROAD

Press, 20 February 1988, Page 22

INNOCENTS ABROAD

By

WHIM WHAM

The Minister of Police, Mr Tapsell, says he is distressed to find he can walk around major cities abroad at night while people are afraid to do the same in New Zealand centres... on the Minister’s mind as he toured Singapore, New Delhi, Moscow, Helsinki, Stockholm and London during the past 10 days... also picked up a copy of the British Public Order Act 1986 which created new offences and police powers... 'shattering realisation’ to Sir Ronald Scott, who travelled with him, that in those major cities ‘you could wander around without any sense of fear...’ —News.

The Minister and Sir Ronald Scott Were walking Hand in Hand— Pacing the Streets of Singapore, New Delhi, Stockholm, AND Besides Red Square, had Time to spare For a Stroll along the StrandSaid Scott (Sir Ron) to Tapsell (Hon.), Amazing! Isn’t it? No Muggers about, not a single Lout, I don’t feel scared a Bit! Said Tapsell (Hon.) to Scott (Sir Ron), Me too, I feel no Fear — On Lambton Quay, could a Minister be As safe as I am, Here? How quiet it was in Helsinki The Day we dropped in There— No angry Word, no Trouble occurred, Think of Cathedral Square! With a Ten-Day Trip behind us, And a Dozen Airports too, We can be dogmatic, it’s axiomatic Whatever We say is true! Why, didn’t I walk down Whitehall, Neither abused nor attacked? — Reading my Duty-free Copy Of their Public Order Act? The best and the oldest Remedy, Double the Dose if it fails— More Offences, heavier Sentences, Bigger, and better, Jails!