About 250 people marched on Parliament on Friday to protest against the visit of Nelson Rockefeller, They were mainly students, though a few others joined the march in the final stages.

As they passed the IBM building on The Terrace (which also coincidentally also houses the American Embassy), a chant began.

What do we think of IBM (CIA/Rockefeller)?

Piss poor! What shall we tell Rocky? Go home!'

Cameras must have been clicking away behind that tinted glass.

At Parliament the demonstrators grouped behind the crown barriers while a guerilla theatre group entertained the lunchtime crowds, with the Rocky song. Don Carson (International Vice-President of NZUSA) and Don Borrie (a clergyman in Porirua) spoke to the crowd about the Rockefeller empire and the importance of his visit. But Rockefeller himself never appeared.

Of course the most important part of the demonstration is simply letting people know that not everybody fawns at the shine of capitalism. And I think the costumed procession that led the demonstration - representing Rocky and the countries and companies he controls - illustrated, this well. This same procession opened the forum on Thursday, to the song "you're the despot that we love" (tune as in Cinderella Rockefeller).

The 351 people gathered at the forum saw a blindfolded New Zealand groping after a learning caricature of Muldoon whorishly attired and carrying a sign saying 'nuclear warships' representing his protitution to Rockefeller's political and economic designs.

Then speakers enumerated on the subject. First was Rob Campbell (from, but not a representative of, PSA) who outlined Rockefeller's interests in the international oil companies. He stressed that though Rockefeller may be quite a nice guy (Then again he may be a prick').

The important issue to demonstrate against was the role of Rockefeller as part of the international capitalist structure into which New Zealand fits. He showed that international oil companies cannot be considered as an asset to New Zealand, because they are profit-making organisations, not charity bodies.

National Oil Companies

Since all crucial decisions (such as capital expenditure, company finance and top managerial appointments) are made overseas it is ludicrous to suggest that these companies would operate in the interests of New Zealanders. And as they only do business with about half of the world, it would be of more benefit to New Zealand to nationalize them and trade directly with such potential markets as China.

Rob concluded by reiterating the need to demonstrate against Rockefeller as a symbol of the international rip-off machine that has its clutches firmly on New Zealand.

Next was Ray Cutter who cited Rockefeller's role in Chile. In this case Anaconda copper mines (controlled by Rocky) were protected by American troops. He also spoke of attempts to strengthen military ties with New Zealand and revive SEATO.

Chilean Experience

Then a Chilean refuge testified from personal experience of the atrocities committed in the name of 'American Free-enterprise' Rockefeller-style.

Geoff Saveli, from CAFCINZ, was next in the line. He pointed to Rockefeller's visit as a further entrenchment of American economic and political control in New Zealand, and then spoke of Rocky's personal investment in New Zealand. To let one man have so much economic control over our country is sheer stupidity.

Rocky controls IBM which is involved deeply in the New Zealand business-world, and Lombard Finance Company, one of New Zealand's largest hire purchase financiers, which is a subsidiary of Chase Manhattan Bank.

Incidentally, Chase Manhattan Bank owns 15% of the Standard Bank of South Africa; just another way of safeguarding the status quo and thus protecting economic interests.

Fyson Accuses Rocky

George Fyson spoke of the hypocrisy of Rocky who on one hand could speak of a free society and on the other hand reply to questions concerning dubious activities connected with the CIA by saying 'there are things which have been done which are contrary to the statutes but which overall are not significant'. The CIA's activities in New Zealand were highlighted recently by the discovery of CIA investigation of student activities in 1970.

And lucky last was NZUSA General Vice-President, Dave Tripe.

NZ Nationalism Mocked

He spoke of Rockefeller's visit as part of continued US attempts to use New Zealand as a pawn in the struggle between the superpowers. Muldoon has already made several concessions to the United States - in dropping support for a nuclear-free Pacific, and in allowing nuclear warships into our ports.

However the 'struggle of the superpowers' is also waged in the economic sphere. N.Z. is particularly vunerable. Since few countries can afford to buy meat, we are forced to rely on the mercy of three basic markets: USSR, USA and Japan.

With Rocky s visit, and the US Secretary of Agriculture's trip in a few weeks time, to straighten out our beef imports', we have a clear indication that pressure is being brought to bear. But the US is not the only culprit.

David mentioned rumour that the Soviet Union has threatened to stop importing New Zealand mutton if we don't allow Soviet fishing boats free access to our territorial waters, which is blatant international bribery. Rocky's visit, David concluded, is part of a huge international game in which we want to get involved as little as possible.

Forum Sidetracked

Unfortunately Dave's speech served to spark off an ideological debate over the relative evils of, yes you guessed it, Soviet and American imperialism. The forum soon degenerated to various speakers from the floor, often in audibly or worse, boringly, haranging one another. It was left to Henry Issacs to rescue the forum from complete disintegration by pointing out that the struggle in South Africa was inextricably woven with the economic interests of the imperialist powers and their subsequent desire to preserve those interests in the maintenance of the Status Quo.

If we wished to avoid such interference, symbolised by Rockefeller, then New Zealanders must protest against this encroachment by American interests.