MAORIS IN ALL BLACKS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28747, 19 November 1958, Page 6

MAORIS IN ALL BLACKS

Views Of South African Visitor (N'eir Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. November 18. Rugby players and spectators in (South Africa would not object to; Maoris in the All Black team, but I they might clash with the Union s (apartheid laws, said Mr C. R. Dwyer, a former officer in charge of the railway telegraph office in [Johannesburg and now retired, who arrived on the Monowai today for a short tour of New Zealand. Mr Dwyer said that, like most I South Africans, he was a fervent! football fan. From the point of view of Rugby enthusiasts and; players he felt there would be no[ objection to Maori players being included in the All Black team.! Indeed, if their inclusioi.i made the; team stronger and more representative Rugby followers would sooner have them in. he said. But there was a possibility, he said, of trouble in the Maori players clashing with the country's general apartheid laws. This would be embarrassing to. the! Maoris, the other All Blacks, and! the South Africans, too. he said. Whether the Maoris went or not} was a decision for the authorities concerned, but he felt the main! interest of most South Africans was in the visiting team’s foot-! ball ability.