Knapp welcomes recommendation

Press, 9 December 1988, Page 1

Knapp welcomes recommendation

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

The recommendation to hold a referendum on the electoral system has been welcomed by the leader of the Democratic Party, Mr Garry Knapp.

He described it as vindication of his action to storm the back corridors of Parliament and barricade himself and his friends in a committee room a month ago. That action was taken to pro-

test at what he then called “the pending Government decision not to honour its pledge to hold a referendum.”

Mr Knapp said then he had been advised that the Government planned to renege on its pledge. "Our direct action taken in occupying the room has clearly played an important part in keeping the Government honest to its promise,” he said.

The action meant public reaction and comment in support of the referendum had intensified dramatically at a crucial moment in the committee’s decision-mak-ing process. The decision to recommend a referendum was arguably the most important decision by a Parliamentary select committee this century and reflected mounting public concern over electoral injustice, Mr Knapp said.