The Press, Christchurch
World Trade Organisation director-general Mike Moore was called a traitor by free trade opponents during a small but raucous protest in Christchurch on Monday.
Mr Moore, escorted by a member of the Diplomatic Protection Service, arrived at the Centra Hotel just before midday to address the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce.
He was met by about 60 protesters, some wearing Mike Moore masks, who chanted "Mad Mike on your bike" and held signs saying "Free trade is costing the Earth". They shouted "traitor" as he quickly entered the building.
Christchurch mayor Garry Moore, Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove and former National finance minister Ruth Richardson also attended the lunch-time meeting.
Opening his speech inside the hotel Mr Moore thanked the protesters for being his "guard of honour."
"I don't know why all these people come to protest against Ruth (Richardson) and the mayor," he joked.
At a press conference following his speech he said it was one of the great honours of his life to be the first New Zealander "burnt in effigy in four continents".
Gatt Watchdog, which organised the protest, had an "Unguided Missile Award" to present to Mr Moore. The award recognised his services as "undermining the credibility and functions of the WTO" and fuelling division within the organisation.
Gatt-watchdog spokesman and protest organiser Murray Horton said he was impressed by the number of young people who took part in the demonstration.
"They've recognised the issue of globalisation as one that they're concerned about and that's a big change."
He said the protest was not a personal attack on Mr Moore but against the philosophies of his organisation. "Mike Moore presents himself as a man of the people and champion of small countries but in reality he's acting on behalf of some of the biggest transnational companies and the most powerful countries."
Anti-free trade activist Aziz Choudry said it was becoming "more and more untenable for governments to say there is no alternative to free trade."
He said opposing free trade was not the same as opposing all trade and investment. "The issue is who has the right to determine what the rules are."
The demonstration lasted two hours and was closely monitored by four uniformed police.
Senior Sergeant John Doherty of Christchurch police said the protesters were "well behaved and good natured". - NZPA:
