Dr Wayne Mapp National Constitutional Affairs Spokesman

15 January 2004

PM pushing republicanism by stealth

Discarding the Crown from the Army's crest is just another example of the Government's republicanism by stealth in action, says National's Constitutional Affairs spokesman Dr Wayne Mapp

"Labour is progressively removing symbols of the Crown from many aspects of government," says Dr Mapp.

"The Queen's portrait in our embassies and high commissions has been replaced with Helen Clark's, and right of appeal to the Privy Council and knighthoods have been scrapped without adequate public consultation.

"And the Government's plans to change oaths taken by new citizens and public officials will undoubtedly remove references to the Crown.

Dr Mapp says Labour is pursuing a secret agenda in line with the Miss Clark's republican views.

"It is time for Miss Clark to be honest, and set out her agenda instead of slyly undermining New Zealand's constitutional structure.

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