Petition “would Sample Opinion” (Press, 1 July 1974)
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Summary: Petition “would Sample Opinion” (Press, 1 July 1974)
On 1 July 1974, New Zealand's Prime Minister, Mr Kirk, addressed the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society regarding the potential for reforming homosexuality laws. In his letter to the society's secretary, Mr J. W. Goodwin, he indicated that there was significant divergence of opinion within the Labour Party on the issue, resulting in no formal vote. Mr Kirk clarified that Labour Party members were not prohibited from introducing private member's bills, but they hesitated to do so due to concerns about the possible negative impact on party unity. He acknowledged the strong support within the party for the examination of the laws surrounding homosexuality, while indicating a preference for any initiative to originate from outside the Parliament. Mr Kirk proposed the idea of a petition to Parliament, similar to one that had been presented in the past, suggesting that this could serve as a means to gauge public opinion on the matter. This proposal aimed to provide a clearer understanding of public sentiment and facilitate further discussions regarding the legal reform of homosexuality in New Zealand.
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