POINTS RAISED BY JOURNALISTS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 12

POINTS RAISED BY JOURNALISTS

Mr Nash’s Reply To Canterbury Branch

The view of a meeting of Christchurch journalists that the New Zealand Rugby Union had usurped the Government’s prerogative in deciding whether racial segregation should be practised in New Zealand has been noted by the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) according to a letter from him received by the CanterburyWestland branch of the New Zealand Journalists’ Association this week.

A meeting of the branch last month decided to ask Mr Nash whether the • Government's lack of action in permitting discrimination against members of thel Maori race in sport was tacit approval of racial segregation; and whether the Government would staff any possible diplomatic vacancy in South Africa with a Maori appointee as it had done in South-east Asia. It was also suggested that a Maori reporter could tour with the All Blacks as a correspondent.

In his reply, the Prime Minister said: “It is unlikely that any diplomatic appointment will be made to South Africa in the foreseeable time, althoqgh we have good relations with the Government in connexion with trade. "I have noted your views regarding the action of the Rugby Union, and also the possibility that a Maori reporter might be appointed to tour South Africa with the All Elacks as the official New Zealand Press Association correspondent. - ' Mr N ash con J eluded. The Prime Minister’s letter was received without comment bv the branch's management commi’[ee at a meeting this week. The Greymouth sub-branch has advised the branch that it wishes t 0 assOPlate itself unreservediv with the views originally expressed by the journalists’ meeting.