Reply To Critic Of Sports Activity By Cigarette Firm

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30168, 27 June 1963, Page 10

Reply To Critic Of Sports Activity By Cigarette Firm

A “stand against cigarettemanufacturing firms gaining admission to our schools for propaganda purposes under the guise of promoting interest in sport” is the interpretation placed upon the recent action of the principal of the Westport Technical College (Mr J. D. McDonald* by a correspondent, “Parent,'’ writing to “The Press.” Mr McDonald refused to permit two nationally-known sportsmen to visit the school because they were employed by a cigarette-manufacturing firm. The sportsmen, D. B. Clarke, the All Black fullback, and R. L. Hodge, the national springboard diving champion, were later given permission by Mr McDonald to talk to pupils who played in the Buller Rugby competitions and those who had won a heat in the school swimming sports. But the correspondent’s suggestion that such visits are used by cigarette-manu-facturing firms for propaganda purposes is rejected by the general manager of Rothmans (New Zealand). Ltd. (Mr K. L. Simich). He describes it as “base and illfounded.” Correspondent’s Letter The correspondent, in his letter, applauds Mr McDonald's stand; deplores outstanding sportsmen entering the employment of cigarette firms, and seeks the views of the New Zealand Rugby, swimming, and athletics bodies on the question. His letter reads: —

“Parents of secondary school pupils must feel grateful to Mr J. D. McDonald, the principal of the Westport Technical College, for his stand against cigarette-manu-facturing firms gaining admission to our schools for propaganda purposes under the guise of promoting interest in sport. It is a pity that some of our country’s outstanding sportsmen have allowed themselves to be employed by cigarette firms to ghle the impression to our young people that, to be a success in sport, cigarettesmoking is a necessary attribute. I wonder how many cigarettes a day these athletes smoke regularly to reach their obviously high standard of physical fitness. Further, I wonder what the councils of the New Zealand Rugby

Union, Athletic Association, and Swimming Association think of this departure from once-accepted standards of amateurism. Their- opinions would be appreciated.”

Commepts were sought from the chairman of the executive council of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (Mr T. C. Morrison), the chairman of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association (Mr H. I. Austad), and the chairman of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association (Mr A. J. Donaldson) . “It has never been the policy of the N.Z.R.F.U. to question the full-time employment of its Rugby players,” said Mr Morrison. “The custom of New Zealand Rugby players attending schools for the purpose of giving exhibitions or demonstrating the skills of the game is long-standing.” Mr Austad said: “This association has no knowledge of athletes employed by cigarette firms gaining admission to schools for' propaganda purposes. If any are doing that, we would be interested to know of the facts.” “Delighted With Help” Mr Donaldson replied: “Swimming has not been inundated by organisations or firms seeking to help the sport through sponsorship, and for this reason Rothmans’ offer is greatly appreciated. Rothmans is interested in sponsoring sport but has made no effort to couple this assistance with an attempt to influence competitors or officials to purchase their products. All the company asks is for its name to be linked with the particular facet of the sport its assistance promotes. The inference to be drawn from this is that those who smoke, please smoke Rothmans. We are delighted with the help they give us and we have no intention of turning it down.” Manager’s Comment

When the letter and the accompanying comments were referred to him, Mr Simich replied: “My company conducts consumer research investigations in various New Zealand towns. We are frequently approached during these studies by schools, parfent - teacher associations, and other local bodies in-

terested in or connected with sport which request appearances by Don Clarke, Arthur Lydiard, Peter Snell, and Len Hodge, to give talks on the particular sports with which these men are associated.

“If, in the course of their work, it is possible to help, we are happy to do so, and we freely offer the services of these world-famous sportsmen and athletes,” said Mr Simich. “Thus the benefits of their experience in worldclass sport can be made available to the greatest possible number of younger people. “Recognising the value of clean, outdoor competitive sports to young New Zealanders, Rothmans (New Zealand), Ltd., have spent a lot of money on national sporting projects, including soccer, cricket, yachting, Rugby League, swimming, and gymnastics. lit is disheartening to have the company's effort to be of real and practical service to the young section of the community misrepresented in such an unfair way through the correspondence columns of your paper,” he said. “Rothmans (New Zealand), Ltd.’s record of assistance to sporting bodies and its interest in the promotion of sport generally speak for themselves. The suggestion that these activities are used as propaganda to school children for the company's products is base and ill-founded, and does not warrant comment.”