The Rugby Tour

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29179, 13 April 1960, Page 8

The Rugby Tour

Sir, —Both the Government and the Rugby Union appear to have ignored the Treaty of Waitangi. They cannot ignore the existing situation in South Africa. In resorting to shootings and floggings the South African Government has clarified the issue. It is simply brute force versus civilisation. Accordingly South Africa’s racial policy is no longer a domestic matter. It has world-wide repercussions and nations will be judged by their reaction to it. New Zealand can make an effective protest against that policy. If through the joint action of the New Zealand Government and the Rugby Union, the tour is cancelled the South African Government will receive a salutary reminder of the repugnance its policy is arousing. World opinion, which in the long run will end this intolerable situation, will be encouraged and fortified; and New Zealand will regain some of the prestige lost through the exclusion of the Maoris.—Yours, etc, H.J.E. April 11, 1960.

Sir, —I hear on good authority that the Citizens' All Black Tour Association is arranging, through organisations with which it is in touch in South Africa, to continue the campaign against the Rugby Union in South Africa while the tour is in progress. I sincerely hope these people know that, if they are planning anything of this sort, they are playing with fire. They could end by causing more bloodshed as well as disrupting the tour. Mr O’Regan should make a public statement concerning what organisations his association is corresponding with in South Africa, and say exactly what these organisations, with or without New Zealand urging or assistance, are planning to do. —Yours, etc., RED AND BLACK. April 5, 1960. [The chairman of the Citizens’ All Black Tour Association (Mr R. O’Regan) said he did not reply to anonymous letters or anonymous correspondence.] >

Sir, —I agree that if no Maoris are allowed in the All Black team to visit South Africa then no team should be allowed to go. As a passing thought—would it not be funny if God appeared in front of the South African Government and His skin was black?—Yours, etc., DOTTY. Reefton, April 10, 1960.