Dalai Lama

The Herald reports:

An umbrella group representing 28 local Chinese organisations wants the Government to follow South Africa’s lead in refusing to grant the Dalai Lama a visa to visit. …

The Dalai Lama was to visit South Africa last week after being invited to attend a peace conference of Nobel laureates, but was refused a visa.

The United Chinese Association of New Zealand will be writing to the Prime Minister and Immigration Minister requesting that New Zealand does the same.

The South African government admitted its decision was taken to avoid harming relations with China.

I find it disappointing that any group of New Zealanders would call on the state to ban someone from visiting just because they don’t like what that person says.