PM stands firm on Samoan law

By AUDREY YOUNG

Prime Minister Helen Clark does not see any need to review the Samoan citizenship law despite thousands protesting against it yesterday as being discriminatory.

Crowds gathered at Parliament, in Christchurch and in the Samoan capital, Apia, to voice their concerns.

Helen Clark was among a small number of Labour MPs in 1982 who condemned the law that effectively nullified a Privy Council ruling giving New Zealand citizenship to Samoans born between 1924 and 1948.

She described it at the time as discriminatory "to say the least".

"At any time 14 million Australians could enter New Zealand without visas and reside here permanently.

"Why is the Government so worried about the remote possibility of 100,000 Samoans exercising their right to live here? ...

"We should consider the sorry circumstances that have surrounded this legislation and ask ourselves ... whether its contents might justify the label of institutional racism. If the cap fits, we should wear it, and resolve to try a fresh approach."

But she said through a spokesman yesterday that she saw no need now for the law to be revisited.

As a young backbencher, she had been concerned at the way the matter had been handled.

"But there was a strong will of Parliament at the time in favour of proceeding with the legislation."

Yesterday, 2000 Samoans protested peacefully at Parliament, with speeches, dancing and singing.

In Apia a New Zealand High Commission official estimated 3000 Samoans joined the protest there.

In Wellington, former National MP Arthur Anae hinted that if the Government did not repeal the law, a case could be taken to the United Nations - and Samoans denied citizenship could be entitled to compensation.

A 100,000-signature petition was handed over by the lawyer who took the Privy Council case, George Barton, QC, to acting Pacific Affairs Minister Chris Carter.