Views On Springbok Tour

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30782, 21 June 1965, Page 19

Views On Springbok Tour

A meeting between representatives of the churches and sporting bodies convened recently by the National Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church was. according to a spokesman for the Roman Catholic diocese of Christchurch, “an endeavour by a group of New Zealanders to achieve a moral consensus” on the forthcoming Springbok tour.

The meeting agreed to three propositions: “It is in accord with Christian sporting principles that national teams should be selected without regard to race: that there is value in keeping an open door in sporting relationships with countries where racial prejudice obtains. Such a situation provides an opportunity for improving human relationships; that churches and sports bodies should work for the embodiment of Christian principles in the field of international sport.

“These propositions express this moral consensus,” said the Catholic spokesman. “They would seem to serve adequately the principles of both justice and Christian charity in a controversial situation,” he said.

The propositions are given in reply to a correspondent, Mr Richard Thompson who, in a letter to the editor, wrote: “Representatives of the churches and sporting bodies convened by the National Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic church ‘to formulate an attitude towards the Springboks’ forthcoming Rugby tour’ were recently reported to have agreed to three propositions.

"It was not clear from the report whether the three propositions are to be regarded as an adequate expression of the churches’ attitude to the racial restrictions in New Zealand’s reciprocal sports tours with South Africa or merely an indication of the extent of the common ground existing between churches and sports bodies on this issue. “If the latter, one would hope that the churches individually or collectively will make their position clear. It would be helpful if this point could be clarified.” Commond Ground

The propositions indicated the extent of the common ground between churches and sports bodies said the general secretary of the National Council of Churches (the Rev. D. M. Taylor). He said most churches had made statements on racial discrimination in sport. For example. the Methodist Conference in 1959 appealed to its own people “to associate actively with movements designed to express public concern” at the exclusion of Maoris from the All Blacks touring South Africa in 1960. “I am not aware of any official statement by any church court specifically on the Springbok’s forthcoming tour,” said Mr Taylor. “But the Maori section of the National Council of Churches urged the Maori people ‘to maintain their Christian convictions and witness at every opportunity, expressing their opposition to apartheid in every possible way.’ “Churches all round the world are supporting those

who in South Africa are struggling to win rights for the oppressed peoples. In a letter received today.” said Mr Taylor. “the Christian Council of South Africa says. ‘We plead with you not to abandon us because of the policies of our Government.’ ”