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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume. 33, Number 9. 25 June, 1970

The tour Demos

page 3

The tour Demos

Anti-tour protests over three days, culminating in a demonstration at Wellington Airport on 13 June, resulted in several violent confrontations between police and demonstrators and 46 arrests.

At 4.45 pm on Thursday, 11 June, about 460 demonstrators left Victoria to march, by way of Willis Street and Lambton Quay, to Parliament, scene of the farewell cocktail party for the All Blacks. The marchers set off from the University following a concert in the Student Union Building and an address by the Rev. Godfrey Wilson.

Thursday afternoon: the march sets off from the University on down the Terrace. It proceeded through the city to Parliament Buildings and only dispersed at 7.40 p.m.

Thursday afternoon: the march sets off from the University on down the Terrace. It proceeded through the city to Parliament Buildings and only dispersed at 7.40 p.m.

(We've just telephoned the NZ Rugby Football Union)

Could you tell me what time the All Blacks are leaving on Saturday, please?

Who's speaking, please?

I'm a reporter for Salient, the Victoria University student newspaper.

Well, the time has been publicly announced several times, up to three or four months ago.

I haven't seen any of these public announcements. Would you please tell me the time of departure?

It was on TV last night.

I don't own a TV set. If it was announced last night you can have no objection to telling me now.

But it has been publicly announced.

Would you please tell me what time the All Blacks are leaving on Saturday?

The plane leaves at 8 am. Thank you.

(Five minutes later)

(Hale and hearty Manawatu-type accents) G'day! I wanta go an see the All Blacks off on Satiddy. Could ya tell me what time tomorra morning the plane leaves?

Um ... ah ... um ... 8 o'clock.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Thursday night seven arrests in Parliament Grounds as the tea party for the All Blacks proceeds inside Parliament Buildings (anyone remember 'The Masque of the Red Death'?) About twenty minutes before the arrests were made, a Salient photographer witnessed this scene: a senior police officer (3 pips on his shoulder) came up to the cameraman in the NZBC's TV team and put his hand over the lens. The police officer told the cameraman to stop filming as they (the NZBC) "bad had a fair go". They were only making the job of the police difficult, the policeman said, and if any further film were taken, the matter would be referred to the Director-General. The policeman then turned to the sound-man and said. "Are you recording this?" When told that the conversation was not being recorded, the policeman said: "Just as well." By the time the All Blacks made their departure and the arrests took place, the TV team had packed up their equipment.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Thursday night: All Blacks mixing with police and Rugby Union officials as the demonstration proceeds outside. A Salient photographer who gained entry to Parliament Buildings was searched by a plainclothes policeman who told him that the police were looking for paint.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

The marchers, on their arrival at Parliament Grounds, were informed by Bill Logan that the Clerk of the House would not permit the use of public address systems and that consequently there would be no speeches. The All Blacks, Mr Logan said, had arrived shortly before the demonstrators.

While awaiting the departure of the All Blacks from the party, protesters chanted anti-tour slogans and were addressed briefly from the centre of the crowd. Some flour bombs were thrown during the arrival of guests and a Public Service car, some police and some demonstrators were spattered by a paint bomb.

At about 6.30 the crowd booed and jeered when the Prime Minister arrived and paused to smile and wave before entering a door at ground level beside the main steps.

The mood of the demonstration appeared to change when three members of the Police Force ejected Mr Peter Cawley from the Buildings. He had entered the House to speak to his Member of Parliament. Mr Cawley, who was ejected from the door used by the Prime Minister, landed heavily on the ground. He then spoke to the senior Police Officer involved who, Mr Cawley later claimed, refused to give his name.

Soon after seven o'clock, a City Council bus arrived and was backed to the main steps amidst cries of "How does it feel to be a fascist bus-driver?"

Ans Westra

Ans Westra

The All Blacks, some smiling and waving, appeared on the main steps shortly after and were greeted with a fresh outburst of booing. Some objects were thrown.

As the bus pulled away, demonstrators ran towards the gate. Several of them arrived before the bus and three or four leapt into the path of the bus in an attempt to stop it. The bus accelerated and the demonstrators leapt aside, narrowly avoiding being run over. The demonstrators reacted by striking the side of the vehicle with their open hands as it passed. At no time did the bus stop.

Police arrested those who had struck the bus and marched them towards vans parked inside the grounds. Demonstrators appeared to become angry during the often violent struggles which followed. The Police formed a line inside the gate and forced protesters to leave Parliament Grounds. Further arrests were made.

One of those arrested called for help as he lay on the ground surrounded by Police. Another was dragged over a barrier after a policeman had pointed at him and shouted "We'll have him." Police later claimed that the demonstrator had thrown a piece of dirt.

Several of the demonstrators attempted to obtain the names of Police Officers who, they claimed, had acted with excessive violence. Policemen refused to give any names. In all seven arrests were made.

The main body of protesters then sat down outside the gate. Lists were compiled of those arrested and the crowd, at the request of the organisers, dispersed after having been reminded of the demonstration scheduled for 5.30 pm the next day.

Friday night's demonstration was again preceded by a concert in the Main Common Room of the Student Union Building. At 5.30, nearly 500 demonstrators marched to Cuba Mall. Here, members of the public and the Seamens' Union had assembled.

Mr Tom Poata (Secretary, Maori Organisation on Human Rights) said that most Maoris were page 4 opposed to the tour. "Today we are in mourning for 13 million black brothers and sisters who white society has decreed will live on bended knee because of the crime of colour," he said.

Mrs Tirakatene-Sullivan, MP, said that "the hard-core executive of the Rugby Union are New Zealand's greatest public relations liability. I am ashamed, as a New Zealander, as a Maori and as a Member of Parliament that our Government has adopted such a cavalier attitude towards human ethics."

Photograph of woman at an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

About one thousand demonstrators then marched to the New Zealand Rugby Football Union headquarters in Post Office Square.

Trevor Richards, President of Hart (Halt All Racist Tours) addressed the gathering while a small group chanted pro-tour slogans. Mr Richards claimed that in 1960 the NZRFU had sent a racially selected team to South Africa.

"In 1967," he said, "they climbed down: admitting, in effect, that they were wrong." In 1970, Mr Richards said, the Rugby Union was committing another racist act and would climb down again. "What will their habit of being wrong cost us?" he asked.

Mr Richards said that the arguments against the tour could be broken into three categories; moral, political and sporting. The Rugby Union, he claimed, had acted wrongfully in each respect.

The demonstrators then marched to Parliament. Eggs were thrown at the marchers from the fourth floor of the Wright Stephenson building. At Parliament, it was decided to march back to the Grand Hotel where the All Blacks were staying.

When the marchers reached Stewart Dawson's Corner (having, once again, been the target of eggs thrown from Wright Stephenson's) they found a line of police blocking the road. The police linked arms and brought the demonstration to a halt.

The Rev. Don Borrie, one of the protest organisers, negotiated with the police who agreed to allow the march to continue provided that the demonstrators marched directly to the University. On reaching the Grand Hotel, however, most of the demonstrators, unaware of the agreement which had been made, sat down. A section of the road was kept open to allow buses to pass.

After about twenty minutes, the protesters set off again. At the Manners Street corner, however, the majority elected not to follow the first few ranks and turned left into Manners Street. Progress was again halted at the Manners Street Post Office where the police made four arrests. The demonstrators turned and attempted to head back the way that they had come. The police again halted all movement. Demonstrators, claiming they did not know what they were expected to do, again sat down. This was at 8 o'clock.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Michael Mckay

After some time, the marchers were told to stand and were led down Farish and Bond Streets and thus back to Willis Street where the police again forced a halt outside the Majestic Theatre. The demonstrators again sat down.

The police issued an ultimatum to the effect that if the demonstrators refused to disperse they would all be arrested. In an on the spot vote the majority of demonstrators elected to stay. A large crowd of onlookers gathered. Demonstrators numbered at this stage about 700.

The situation remained the same for some time until NZUSA President Paul Grocott appealed to the demonstrators to disperse. As he was speaking, the police started pulling demonstrators on the outskirts away from the main body. Some demonstrators were taken to the footpath and others were arrested, photographed and placed in a police van.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Alan Browne

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Roger Clark, a senior lecturer in law at Victoria and one of the three defence counsel for those arrested in the demonstrations, made this statement to Salient last week:

I am chiefly concerned about non-access to counsel. It is perfectly clear that a large number of people arrested asked for a lawyer on Friday night and were refused until after their court appearance on Saturday morning when they were released on bail. I had to wait for three hours before I was allowed to talk to one of the clients I did manage to reach.

The incident raises a number of other issues. The first is the condition of the cells at the Central Police Station. They were extremely cold and the only toilet facilities provided were buckets. Another point was that the interview room, contrary to an assurance given to the Council for Civil Liberties last year, had a one way mirror on one wall. I actually saw a lawyer interviewing his client from the other side. Yet another point was the length of time involved in 'processing' those arrested. In my opinion it took far too long.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Many demonstrators later, claimed that the police were unnecessarily violent in their actions. Several photoographers claimed that police officers man-handled them and struck their cameras. One photographer was arrested and charged with obstruction.

Three ambulances arrived and, by using their sirens, cleared a path through the crowd. Police officers followed the ambulances and kept the road open. At this point most of the demonstrators began to disperse. In all, 34 arrests were made.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour event

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Saturday morning at least two hundred demonstrators left the Student Union Building at 4.30 a.m. for the march to the Airport. At the Policemen's Ball on Friday night, the word went round: "We're going to get those Victoria University kids tomorrow" . . . "Well, that might have been said, " replied Superintendent Saunders when we asked him about this, " but it was just loose talk. We don't encourage that sort of thing."

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

When the protesters arrived back at the university, an informal discussion was held in the Men's Common Room as to the tactics to be used at the airport the next day. Legal advice was found for those who had been arrested.

The meeting moved to the Main Common Room where Margaret Bryson, Students' Association President, took the chair. Opinion appeared to be divided as to what action to follow during the All Blacks departure from Rongotai Airport on Saturday morning. It was agreed that the demonstration would be quiet and disciplined.

About 230 people stayed in the Student Union Building for a sleep-in. At 4.30 am on Saturday morning, the marchers began a march to the Airport. Massive security precautions were awaiting them. About a mile from the Terminal Building, the marchers were joined by two bus-loads of demonstrators from Auckland.

At about 7 am the marchers halted about 150 yards from the Terminal Building. While seated on the roadway, protesters were advised by Tom Poata not to allow themselves "to be provoked" by the police. A small group began chanting "We will remember 11.45"—a reference to alleged police brutality at the Agnew demonstrations in Auckland.

A little later the bus containing the All Blacks was spotted moving along the Airport perimeter. Mr Poata said that the fact that the team had entered the Airport by a back entrance was "a major victory" for the protesters.

The demonstrators, whose numbers were estimated at about a thousand, were then asked to turn their backs on the Terminal Building. Demonstrators were then told that they could enter the Airport car-park and go to the fence bordering the tarmac by "going around" the police. This they did. Police lined the other side of the fence.

As the aircraft with the All Blacks on board headed down the runway, Tim Shadbolt cleared the fence and ran towards the tarmac. He eluded several police officers before being brought to the ground and placed in a police car. A police officer struck Shadbolt as he was being lifted into the car.

After the Electra cleared the runway another demonstrator, Peter Vershaffelt, appeared on the tarmac. He ran a considerable distance towards the runway before being apprehended. A police officer kicked Vershaffelt as he was carried towards a police car.

The fence bordering the tarmac had been loosened and conflict between demonstrators and the police flared as police ripped away placards which, the police said, were poking through the fence.

Another confrontation followed on the car-park side of the fence. Mr Poata told the police that the demonstrators would disperse when the police withdrew. He also asked demonstrators not to be 'provoked' by the police. Seven page break arrests were made at the Airport.

About 100 demonstrators went to the Magistrate's Court immediately after the Airport demonstration. All of those persons who had been arrested were remanded on bail. Several of the demonstrators later claimed that they had been treated unreasonably while in custody and some were denied access to defence counsel.

At a meeting on Tuesday night, about 25 of the persons arrested identified themselves and sought witnesses.

The meeting was told of a meeting earlier in the day at which fourteen members of the Law Faculty (staff) had agreed to undertake an investigation into the events of the three days of demonstrations. The immediate object of the investigation would be to identify witnesses to offences alleged by police to have been committed by those persons who were arrested. Roger Clark, a senior lecturer, said he was particularly concerned about the way in which some persons who had been arrested were denied access to counsel.

Offices were established at 18 Kelburn Parade and in the city to receive statements about incidents during the demonstrations. From last Thursday, these offices have been manned by members of the staff of the Law Faculty and statements will continue to be collected for a few days yet.

Tim Shadbolt tells the one about the Prime Minister with no brains at all. . .

Tim Shadbolt tells the one about the Prime Minister with no brains at all. . .

Just one of at least a dozen policemen who were seen without numbers on their lapels during the three days of demonstrations, "Well, you must remember that numbers are very small," said Inspector Joyce. "They may be torn off in transit or get lost.

Just one of at least a dozen policemen who were seen without numbers on their lapels during the three days of demonstrations, "Well, you must remember that numbers are very small," said Inspector Joyce. "They may be torn off in transit or get lost.

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest

Photograph of an anti Springbok rugby tour protest