Clash In House On Security Man

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 12

Clash In House On Security Man

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. Galling for the reinstatement of a Security Service officer, Mr D. Godfrey, as a student at Auckland University, the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) told Parliament tonight that the “radical group” which deliberately set out to ruin the officer’s career had acted with singular brutality.

In an address repeatedly punctuated by Opposition interjections, Mr Shand at one stage told Mr R. J. Tizard (Opp., Pakuranga) to “shut up.”

Mr Tizard, who replied “shut up yourself, you great ape,” later withdrew his remark and apologised at the request of the Speaker (Sir Ronald Algie).

Speaking in the Address-In-Reply debate, Mr Shand said he had been deeply shocked by the action of the Auckland University deans committee in barring Mr Godfrey.

“A group of radicals at the university—to call them fellow-travelTers would be unfair although some may be members of the Communist Party—set out brutally and with malice aforethought to ruin a man who had a career in the Security Service. "They did this by exposing him to ridicule,” said Mr Shand. Having done their best to

expose him to notoriety, the group then demanded his suspension and the university authorities gave their support, he said.

The act had been carried out not because Mr Godfrey had done anything but because he was a Security Service officer.

Mr Shand claimed that Mr Tizard was “one of the gang” involved and said the act of brutal repression against the officer had been ruthlessly performed by people whose cause Mr Tizard supported. After Opposition interjections, Mr Shand said: “Oh, shut up.” “Oh, shut up yourself, you great ape.” “Meant It” Asked by Mr Speaker to confirm his comment, Mr Tizard said: “I said that and I meant it.” On the Speaker’s ruling, Mr

Tizard withdrew hi? remark and later apologised. “May I suggest the Minister cease to make personal attacks on the member for Pakuranga,” said Mr H. L. May (Opp., Porirua). “Before this incident, the member for Pakuranga was making a continuous barrage of interjections,” said the Attorney-General (Mr Hanan).

The Minister made a strong criticism of the professor of political science at Auckland University, Professor Robert Chapman. “Professor Chapman, some of the students and some who have been incited to this act make me feel sick at heart,” said Mr Shand. “We expect brutality and stupidity from those who know no better — but when we get this from people who are trained to teach liberty, it makes me sick.”

Explaining the purpose of the Security Service, Mr Shand said it was not primarily secretive but it advised the Government on the existence in New Zealand of harmful organisations. He said Security Service officers made inquiries openly and disclosed their identity before asking questions. Since Mr Godfrey had been admitted to Auckland University, Professor Chapman had made “snide remarks” about him and said he had a spy in his classes. “Shocking” “This is a most shocking thing,” he said. Mr Shand said an earlier appeal to the Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University for the barring of Mr Godfrey had been turned down and when Mr Godfrey had referred to the head of the Security Service for guidance he had been told to “stick it out.” The Minister described the final decision to bar Mr Godfrey from the university as a triumph for the Leftists.” atriumph for the Leftists.” Mr Shand said Mr Godfrey —a young married man—had wanted to study but the authorities had “kicked him out” to keep the peace. “The universities have their right to autonomy but I am shocked there has been so little sense of responsibility,” he said.

The Minister said he had been surprised that the Christian Student Movement at the university had not “risen up” against the decisions.

Mr May replied that the Minister’s fast words “when we have justice for all” were well taken. “This Minister cost this country nearly £l2OO because of a libel case,” he said.