Inland Revenue bugging

Press, 27 June 1983, Page 18

Inland Revenue bugging

Sir,—lt was good to see you make a stand for basic freedom principles in the recent case of the Inland Revenue Department bugging. To the ordinary person in the street bugging is something that happens only on television and to hear of it going on in little old New Zealand is quite a shock to the system. It is good that you are there keeping us informed and up to date with these violations to our freedom, as to allow this sort of

activity to go unchecked would only mean a further deterioration in the individual’s privacy. — Yours, etc., G. ROSE. June 23, 1983. Sir,—ln reference to the editorial (June 20) the “furtive flair” of the Inland Revenue Department leaves no doubt in the public’s mind as to the lengths some public servants might go to in the name of tax collection. When are these people going to learn that being a ’‘servant of the public” carries with it a responsibility not to abuse a position of trust? All thanks to “The Press” for an editorial which shows us the true nature of this incident when the power of government totally disregards the rights of the individual. — Yours, etc., GERARD C. BAILEY. June 23, 1983.