(From previous page)

Mr Prime Minister vivisection is the absurdity of our age. It is only acceptable to those without conscience, decency or scruple. But even more absurd and incredible than vivisection itself is the endorsement given to it by your government which, until this last moment, has refused to register more than one single submission against this blackest of all crimes.

On 24 April nineteen hundred and eightynine the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society, in compliance with Government regulations and format, presented a Petition of one hundred thousand six hundred and forty signatures to your Government seeking the abolition of vivisection on the grounds of scientific fraud.

Many people have written Submissions supporting that Petition. We are here today Mr Prime Minister to ask you to register and thereby give validity to those Submissions.

In graciously accepting this letter on your behalf Mr John Terris once again demonstrates the ability and willingness to reason, and, once again, great courage for swimming against the tide of stagnant and suspicious Parliamentary attitude.

I trust when making your decision to comply with our reasonable request that the Primary Production Committee registers all public Submissions supporting this Petition, brought to you on this World Day for Laboratory Animals nineteen hundred and ninety that your decision proves worthy of him."

...and the Prime Minister's reply - dated 3 May:

"I have read your open letter which was handed to me by John Terris MP. The Chairman of the Primary Production Committee has advised me that the Committee has offered you and/or nominated persons the opportunity to appear in person to present evidence in support of your Petition. No doubt you will take up this opportunity."

(...and in those few words the Prime Minister - scorns the letter read at Parliament - ignores the demonstration at Parliament - disregards the march, makes quite clear that he will not receive the submissions of the people and puts the NZ Anti-Vivisection Society back to square one... ie precisely back to 16 June 1989 when the Primary Production Committee refused to acknowledge the submissions of those supporting NZAVS Petition to abolish vivisection.)

(Editor)

(Photograph Melanie Bromley)

"Vivisection Must Be Stopped, Legal Channels Have Been Blocked."

...Had the politicians shocked!... as over 400 people "gatecrash" Parliament.

And so... not only will there be no abolition under the Labour Government... but there will be no debate of the issue allowed under the Labour Government!

John Terris MP... accepting letter to Prime Minister from Bette Overell.
(Photograph Dominic Hammond)