Leave For Softball Tour, But No Pay

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31091, 21 June 1966, Page 17

Leave For Softball Tour, But No Pay

Unless the State Services Commission alters its present ruling, civil servants in the New Zealand softball team to tour the United States and Mexico in October will receive no pay. This was confirmed yesterday by the Secretary of the Commission, Mr D. N. Ryan. Civil servants representing their country as tourists in several other sports receive full or half pay, depending on their marital status.

Athletes who receive payment include Rugby Union players, cricketers, and Olympic and Empire Games competitors. All of the sports covered by payment are conducted, as softball is. on an amateur basis.

Mr Ryan said yesterday that no requests for payment to civil servants in the New Zealand softball team had been received by the Commission. “But under the existing rules, leave would be granted but not on pay,” he said.

“It’s invidious that discrimination should be made against some sports,” Said Mr G. F. Vincent, secretary of the New Zealand Softball Association, yesterday. “The discrimination amazes me and I’d be curious to know the basis of such a decision. “This is very definitely a New Zealand team and is not less, in my eyes, than any other New Zealand team. We

are prepared to explore every avenue to remedy the position.” The New Zealand team will play in the world series in Mexico.