AFRICAN TOUR MAY BE POSSIBLE

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31539, 29 November 1967, Page 1

AFRICAN TOUR MAY BE POSSIBLE

An announcement from London that the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) had spoken to the South African Prime Minister (Mr Vorster) about the possibility of the All Blacks touring South Africa in 1970 surprised New Zealand Rugby Union officials.

Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union said yesterday that there had been no contact between Rugby officials and Mr Marshall before he left for overseas.

“We await very eagerly his return to find out the extent of his discussions with Mr Vorster,” he said.

Mr Morrison said that although Mr Marshall and Mr Vorster had met about eight days ago no communication had been received from the South African Rugby Board.

The Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) visited South Africa on his way to Geneva eight days ago for talks on trade prospects between New Zealand and South Africa, said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) at a press conference yesterday, according to the Press Association. He said that Mr Marshall had discussed the existing trade and trade prospects between the two countries.

Asked if the Minister visited South Africa on the Cabinet’s instructions, Mr Holyoake replied: “He went with my full knowledge.” Referred to the London report that an All Black tour of South Africa in 1970 was a distinct possibility after talks in Pretoria between Mr Marshall and Mr Vorster, Mr Holyoake said: “I think it would be highly unlikely that two prominent persons from New Zealand and South

Africa could meet together without discussing Rugby.” The report from an N.Z.P.A. special correspondent in London said that Mr Marshall confirmed when questioned that the subject of the All Black tour was raised and reports reaching London from South Africa suggest that Mr Vorster indicated a New Zealand Rugby team selected on its merits, and including Maoris, would be acceptable in South Africa. Mr Marshall said he did not wish to say anything further on the subject until he had spoken with the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (Mr T. C. Morrison) or other officers of the union, but he felt that the way might now be open for a satisfactory solution to “this vexed problem.” He planned to communicate with Mr Morrison on his return to Wellington early next week.