The majority of members of the Tuxis and Older Boys’ Parliament support the invitation extended to Beatle JohnLennon and his wife Yoko to come to Manitoba during the province’s Centennial celebrations.

Reacting to criticism of the invitation extended to the Len- nons by the provincial government, Tuxis premier Philip Reece told the members Monday:

“I want to see John Lennon’s peace movement here for Manitoba’s Centennial . . . how many people in this country, or in the world are really doing something about it (peace)? John Lennon is one of those people.”

He was speaking in support of a petition which was signed by three-quarters of the 90 members age 16 to 20 from Manitoba and Northwest Ontario who represent church and youth groups.

The Tuxis and Older Boys’ Parliament follows the rules and procedure of the House of Parliament and gives the participants an opportunity to participate in the democratic process. The sessions are held in the provincial legislature chambers.

The petition introduced by Premier Reece also attacked local hot line shows — ih particular CJOB’s John Harvard show — for encouraging opposition to the Lennons’ visit.

The brief read:

“We the undersigned, members of the 48th session of the Tuxis and Older Boys’ Parliament do heartily endorse the decision of the Manitoba government to invite John and Yoko Lennon’s Peace movement to Manitoba in celebration of our Centennial.

“We deplore the actions of some members of the mass media who have exhibited an almost total ignorance about the opinions of young people.

“We instruct the premier and speaker of this Parliament to express our support of the Lennon’s peace movement to the representatives of the Manitoba government.”

Elaborating on the brief in the House, Mr. Reece said John Harvard was “trying to manipulate” the public by saying that Lennon’s peace movement could cause “riots” and by asking listeners to write in and support his stand against the Lennons coming to Manitoba.

“This I deplore … he is telling us what we don’t want. He is saying it would not be good for us,” said Mr. Reece.

Adding that Mr. Harvard is encouraging the generation gap by not taking into account the opinions of young Manitobans, Mr. Reece challenged Mr. Harvard to debate the issue with him.

“I will dare Mr. Harvard to debate this point with me on his hotline,” he said, as the other members gave him a thundering applause.

Another member who supported Lennon’s peace movement said, “if it gets us thinking about peace, at least it’s a start . . . John Harvard has done a terrible thing … he has charged people’s minds against Lennon.”

Two members spoke against the petition which received the approval of all but a few of the members of the House.

“I have not yet seen it where they (the Lennons) have not caused trouble. Is that what peace is?” questioned one member.

“Are we willing to accept the responsibility if people are killed .. . what kind of peace is Lennon after anyway,” he asked.