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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 37, Number 22. 4th September 1974

Obscene Language:

Obscene Language:

  • A young non-Maori Polynesian was arrested during a "routine patrol visit to a taxi rank". His offence was to say "piss off " to the police. He was held over night in the cells and pleaded Not Guilty the next day and was remanded.
  • A young Samoan was standing in a crowded bar and was being pestered by a pakeha for a loan of some money. After a while the Samoan got annoyed and told the Pakeha to "fuck off". He was immediately arrested by a constable who happened to be nearby, and was convicted and fined.
  • On a "routine visit to the Ponsonby Club Hotel" the Task Force arrested five people for using obscene language. There were four Polynesian men and one European woman. One of the Polynesian men was asked a question by police, which he answered. He was asked the same question again by the police and gave the same answer. They asked a third time, and again were given the same answer. On the fourth rime the man's patience was exhausted and he swore at the police officer. He was immediately arrested. In court the police did not deny this harrassment, but the man was still convicted and fined $40. For this man, and for the three other men and the woman who was arrested for obscene language at the same time, the police said in evidence that "there were some women present".