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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 28, No. 6. 1965.

The Facts Are Somewhere Here

The Facts Are Somewhere Here

Sirs,—I understand that Mr. D. Butler claimed at forum on Tuesday, May 25, that Mr. D. Boshier had not rung 500 people in Wellington to get their views on the question of sending New Zealand troops to Vietnam. I also understand from Mr. Butler that when pressed for his source of information he suggested that people might care to refer to me as to the accuracy of this information. However, some students appear to be of the opinion that I gave Mr. Butler his information..

I wish to state categorically that I did not tell Mr. Butler anything. In fact I have not seen nor talked to Mr. Butler from before this meeting to the present. In addition I am in no position to confirm the accuracy of Mr. Butler's statement. What happened was this:

On Sunday. May 16, I was informed by a student that Mr. Boshier had not rung these people. On Tuesday, May 18, I mentioned this to one of Mr. Butler's friends. I told him I wanted to check the matter. He agreed with this as did the other two people I spoke to on the point. That day I also saw Mr. W. Alexander who advised me my informant was wrong. I accepted this. In fact when I wrote to the Evening Post that night regarding the meeting on Vietnam of May 14 I made no reference to the matter. The Evening Post did not publish my letter, due to its length.

I repeat again, I had not talked to Mr. Butler, and after talking to Mr. Alexander I considered the matter closed.

I disagree with Mr. Boshier on many points and he knows this. He also knows, or I hope he knows, that if I wish to attack him I check my facts and then do it in public.

In view of Mr. Butler's explanation of what took place at forum I do not now intend to take this matter further with him, but I do want to dispose of any idea that I started a whispering campaign based on untruths.

I also understand that reference was made at the same forum to my conduct at the meeting on Vietnam. This can only refer to the one comment I made all night, namely, accusing the Chairman, Mr. J. L. Roberts, of "jacking-up" speakers. In my letter to the Evening Post which was not printed by that newspaper I apologised to Mr. Roberts for my completely unwarranted interjection which cast reflections on his integrity. That comment was made in the heat of the moment, but I am the first to admit that heat is no excuse for such conduct. As the Evening Post did not publish the apology I wrote a personal letter to Mr. Roberts restating my apology.

I trust this letter will clear up any doubts that students may have about my honesty or methods of political fighting.

Peter V. O'Brien,

Students' Association Council Representative.

Sirs,—On Tuesday, May 26. I raised in forum the veracity of the public opinion poll on the commitment of New Zealand troops in Vietnam which Mr. Boshier informed the public meeting of May 14 had been carried out by him A report that the survey was bogus had been circulating quite widely in both student and political circles. This report was bringing both Mr. Boshier's academic integrity and the standing of social research at this University into question.

Although I still have some grave reservations on the committee on Vietnam, which I intend to raise separately at forum, I accept unreservedly Mr. Boshier's reply that a survey of a fairly representative sample of Wellington telephone subscribers was in fact made.

I have, since forum, discussed the matter for the first time with Mr. P. V. O'Brien, who had issued a separate statement. He assures me that he had only heard a report that the survey was bogus which he considered merited investigation. I would hope that both this letter and Mr. Boshier's spirited and informative reply to my accusations will serve to quelch this rumour and that debate can now focus on the real issues of the Vietnam dispute, and the alternative policy choices available to the New Zealand Government in this matter.

May I, in conclusion, challenge those students who still inform forum that I am "paid by Brigadier Gilbert" to make public the basis of their charges in a like manner, before forum.

David Butler.