Protesters at Government reception shock guests

Press, 7 February 1986, Page 1

Protesters at Government reception shock guests

PA Wellington More than 400 guests at the Government’s Waitangi Day reception stood stunned last evening as protesters, holding official invitations, twice interrupted the celebrations in the Beehive. The police ejected seven persons from the banquet hall in the executive wing of Parliament, arresting three of them. Outside, the main body of protesters, who had arrived at Parliament soon after 3 p.m., marched to one of the gates to harangue arriving guests, particularly the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves.

They later marched into Bowen Steet, outside the windows of the banquet hall, for a stationary protest that blocked the road and lasted the two hours of the official reception. The police blocked off the street as the protesters cried, “Shame, shame,” audible at times to those assembled inside the Beehive. Inside the banquet hall

the first interruption came as the Wellington Chinese Anglican Church Cultural Group completed a lion dance. As the performers, dressed in bright orange and yellow costumes, ambled off the stage, the master of ceremonies, a television presenter, Dougal Stevenson, came up to the microphone. Before he started to speak, two young women suddenly jumped up on the stage, one shouting, “Honour the treaty.” The hall quickly silenced as guests turned to see what was happening and plain-clothes security men started to stalk the

two. One was quickly bustled out. The other stood there, apparently stuck for words, until she was removed. Guests quickly returned to their sandwiches, dips and drinks to await the next part of the official programme, speeches by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger.

Towards the end of Mr Lange’s short speech one woman began shouting. She was grabbed by the throat and mouth by another plain-clothes security man, who removed her as she continued to scream. The police later said that three persons had been arrested inside the reception, two for disorderly behaviour, and another four removed from the banquet hall. Inspector Clint Libby said the four had pamphlets and had been “spotted as potentially dangerous.” The police confirmed that the seven removed

from the banquet hall held official invitations. Inspector Libby could not confirm their identity or to which of the many groups represented at the function they belonged. The interruptions in front of Sir Paul, Cabinet Ministers, Labour and National members of Parliament, diplomats, the Maori knights and dames, thwarted the Government’s apparent intention

of a low-key celebration based on the theme of peace.

Some guests later had to walk past chanting, arrested protesters banging the walls of the police van that held them.

Publicly, the Government has said the move has been made because Wellington is the seat of power and it is there that treaty issues are being addressed.

The ceremony was designed as low-key, lasting only two hours and without a military salute. The moving of the official celebrations to Wellington was announced on December 3 and attacked by Maoris and the Opposition.

Ten National members of Parliament were on the official guest list yesterday, but the Leader of the Opposition, Mr McLay, instead chose to go to Waitangi.

Three Cabinet Ministers, the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Tapsell, and the Minister of Customs, Mrs

Shields, were also at the local ceremony yesterday morning but later flew back to Wellington in time for the evening reception. The guest list, totalling neary 600, also included diplomats, judges, and public servants.

Invitations were issued also to Pacific Island groups, ethnic associations and representatives of the Maori regional areas, as well as young people active in the arts, recreation and sports. Security at Parliament was tight all day, a large number of police ringing buildings. Sir Paul was met by Mr Lange, when he arrived at the Beehive before being greeted with a karanga and -powhiri from the Ngati. Poneke Cultural Group. . . . The Wellington Indian Association and. the Greek Orthodox Community also gave songs and dances. . The reception Was closed by the Wainouiomata Samoan community choir Who led guests in singing “God Defend New Zealand.” .