RUGBY RACE PROBLEM

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28979, 21 August 1959, Page 14

RUGBY RACE PROBLEM

African Letter To Board

A request that consideration be given to racial discrimination in Rugby in South Africa is made in a letter from the South African Sports Association to the International Rugby Board which is at present sitting in New Zealand. A copy of the letter was received by “The Press” yesterday. It says:

“The South African Sports Association, a co-ordinating, non-racial sporting body supported by eight national bodies and some 70,000 members, respectfully desires to bring to the attention of your board the existence of racial discrimination in Rugby, with special reference to our own country. “As the body controlling international Rugby and responsible for the upholding of the principles of sportsmanship in this code, we believe that this is a matter for your board. “We note with concern that this malpractice is not confined to our country: it would appear that the New Zealand Rugby Union is determined to countenance this unsporting policy with regard to the forthcoming tour of South Africa by a team of players from New Zealand next year. “We trust that your board will give due consideration to this grave matter and will declare its attitude to its affiliates.”

Grant to W.E.A.— A move by Cr. J. I. Colligan to have the Waimairi County Council grant to the Workers’ Education Association increased from £2 2s to £2O was rejected by last evening’s meeting of the council.