Keeping tabs on the Right
Sir, — Recently I attended a Christchurch area meeting of the Concerned Citizens Coalition, the so-called moral majority. About 100 people were present. At the meeting a circular from the New Zealand National Council of Churches was read out. It requested people to carefully monitor school committees, etc., for any "moral right” members and to report these people to the council. I wonder if this is the type of society the council is trying to foster — a society where people are watched, names are carefully filed for future use, and people’s opinions are State property. The end result is ajjascist state and the midnight on the door. It is
difficult enough to obtain honest, competent members for public boards. This type of activity will increase the problem. Will the National Council of Churches now admit its action was illconsidered, withdraw the circular, and destroy any records? — Yours, etc., RAY SPRING. February 3, 1986. [The National Council of Churches replies: “The circular referred to in Ray Spring’s letter was a newsletter from the Church and Society Commission of the National Council of Churches to its friends. The Church and Society Commission is the study and research arm of the N.C.C. with the job of reporting to the N.C.C. on current issues in New Zealand society. One of the commission’s current research areas is the growth of extreme Right wing movements in New Zealand. In reporting on this research to its friends, the commission’s newsletter said it had a special interest in areas where the Right wing is endeavouring to influence decisions on school boards, councils, and local committees. The commission’s concern is that there needs to be a diversity of representation on school boards, councils and committees, so that all views are represented and is therefore seeking information about attempts by one group to take over such bodies. The commission did not ask its friends to supply names of people on school committees.”]
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Press, 10 February 1986, Page 12
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326Keeping tabs on the Right Press, 10 February 1986, Page 12
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