P.M.—“No Agents In Universities”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 24

P.M.—“No Agents In Universities”

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 14. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) has advised the president of the Auckland University Students’ Association (Mr R. Wood) that there are no security officers operating in the country’s universities.

Mr Holyoake released the text of . his letter on June 8 to Mr Wood today. A copy was sent to the head of the Security Service, Mr H. E. Gilbert.

“In reply to your yetter of June 3,1 have made inquiries and am assured that there are no security officers operating in the universities," said Mr Holyoake’s letter. "However, as the role of the Security Service is the protection of the country from espionage and subversion, the service has a duty to follow Communist and Communist-front activities and the possibility of espionage wherever these may occur. “I can assure you that the Government fully respects the academic freedom of the universities. “As free and autonomous

institutlons, it is a matter for the university authorities to determine what students they will enrol and under what conditions.

“The prime objective of security agents is to ensure our continued freedom, including academic freedom. “This freedom, of course, extends to security agents and other Government servants to pursue university studies which the Government encourages them to do.”