RUGBY Craven Denies New Laws Reason For N.Z. Visit

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30173, 3 July 1963, Page 6

RUGBY Craven Denies New Laws Reason For N.Z. Visit

(NJL fnft ;t wnrinfWfe, ffiwnrfrliO SYDNEY, July 2. Dr. Danie Craven, piwdent of the South African Rugby Union, said today that New Zealand had the wrong end of the stick, “if it believed his forthcoming visit there was to discuss new laws to open up the game.” Dr. Craven, asked to comment on a New Zealand report, said: “I am not discussing any laws or making propaganda for mvtrin.” *

He said he could not disclose the reason for his trip “but everything has gone satisfactorily in my talks with officials here (in Australia).”

Australian Rugby officials stayed silent last night after a three-hour conference with Dr. Craven, Before the conference last night, Dr. Craven declined to discuss the reasons for his visit. After the meeting, the treasurer of. the Australian Union (Mr Charles Blunt)

said:- "We. can't ny any’ thing.” The reason for Dr. Craven’s viait i* causing wide speculation fa Sydney newspapers. Sone morning papers said today that the outcome of the talk* was likely to have farreaching effects. But Mr Blunt said it was unlikely that anything would be released about the reasons for Dr. Craven’s visit When Mr Blunt refused to comment ft la.believed he had not seen a New Zealand Press Association report from Wellfagton. The report said that the

chairman of the New Zealand Rdgby Union (Mr T. W. Morrison) bad claimed that Dr. Craven was expected to reach New Zealand on Wednesday to ask for New Zealand support for South Africa in calling an urgent meeting of the International Rugby Board to discuss the new laws to “open up the game." Telephoned From Sydney Mr Morrison mid in Wellington that Dr. Craven had telephoned him from Sydney yesterday. Mr Morrison said he had told the executive meeting of his union the reasons for Dr. Craven's proposed visit, and the executive agreed to meet him on Wednesday night.