Rugby Officials Visit P.M.

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 1

Rugby Officials Visit P.M.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 28. The Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, tonight declined to comment on his meeting today with New Zealand Rugby Union officials over the New Zealand Union’s rejection of an invitation to tour South Africa in 1967.

Mr Holyoake said he doubted if the Government would issue any further statements on the tour question. Asked to comment on the legality of the Federation of Labour’s proposed boycott of sports teams selected on a racial basis, the Prime Minister said he did not know the legal position and would therefore be unable to offer an opinion. Members of the Rugby Union delegation which met with Mr Holyoake were the chairman of the council, Mr T. C. Morrison, the president of the union, Mr T. H. Pearce, and a council member, Mr C. H. Blazey. Rejection Reason

Last Friday the union decided to reject South Africa’s invitation to send an All Black team to South Africa next year because the invitation was “unacceptable” in its present form. The union also decided to hold discussions with the Government as soon as possible.

After the meeting with the Prime Minister, which lasted

nearly an hour, Mr T. C. Morrison said that no requests had been made. “We have been to the Prime Minister to put him in the picture as to the invitation we received, and the decision, so that he is up-to-date with the whole question,” he said.