Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 29, No. 6. 1966.

A.U.'s security rumpus

A.U.'s security rumpus

By NZSPA Reporter Dave Fleming

" You're Very Well Informed, aren't you?" a Security Intelligence spokesman in Wellington told NZSPA when asked if the branch had taken a sharp reprimand from the Prime Minister (Mr. Holyoake). "That's the sort of question that perhaps doesn't need an answer," the officer added.

This followed disclosures in an Auckland University newspaper. Outspoke, of the activities at the university of Mr. D. Godfrey, a 40-year-old security agent taking Political Studies III.

Outspoke claimed Mr. Godfrey had approached the students' association secretary (Mr. Russell Armitage). bundling him into a car to tryto get background material on students enrolling for the NZUSA trip to Russia and China.

The President (Mr. Ross Mountain' and Cultural Affairs Officer (Mr. Mike Hirschfieldt of NZUSA later approached Security Intelligence headquarters. 38 Hawkestone Street. Wellington, for assurances that the branch would cease investigations on the trip.

Mr. Mountain told NZSPA that officers of the branch had mot them on a street corner and given him the assurance.

Also following the Outspoke story. Mr. Holyoake refused commenl and Auckland's Vice-Chancellor (Mr. K. J. Maidment) said there would be no investigation of Security Intelligence activities at the university.

"However, I can assure you students will be able to pursue their studies in future without tear of outside interference " Mr. Maidment said. He refused to comment on whether Mr. Godfrey would be re-admitted as an internal; student this term.

Mr. Godfrey also refused comment on this, but he attended classes last term after the Outspoke allegations had made all daily newspapers.

However, a senior member of the Political Studies De-; partment informally told his students he would not let them give seminars in classes that Mr. Godfrey would be attending. This seemed to indicate the department would not accept him as an internal student.

A similar demand was made by the Auckland University Students' Association President (Mr. Richard Wood) in a statement to NZSPA:

"We are more than a little concerned with the implications of the allegations against Mr. Godfrey." said Mr. Wood. "Our investigations have clearly shown that he has, used his privileges as a student to get students to spy on other students."

Meanwhile. Outspoke, in its latest issue said Mr. Godfrey in 1964 had approached a girl student, offering her rewards to take a job as secretary to the New Zealand Peace Council, and supplying carbon copies of all material back to him.

The girl, who was introduced to Mr. Godfrey by the then Auckland public relations officer (Mr. Peter Quennell) refused this offer.

In Wellington. Mr. Quennell told NZSPA he had become friendly with Mr. Godfrey while taking Political Studies II with him in 1963. Mr. Godfrey had told him he was a security agent and some time later asked an introduction to the girl. Miss Honey Martin, who was a friend of Mr. Quennell's.

Mr. Quennell said this was the first he had heard of Mr. Godfrev's offer to Miss Martin.

In Auckland. Miss Martin confirmed Mr. Quennell's explanation in a telephone interview with NZSPA Christchurch reporter Warren Mayne. She did not knowwhet her Mr. Quennell had worked for the branch.