Rhodesians Beat Ban On Ploughs

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31657, 18 April 1968, Page 10

Rhodesians Beat Ban On Ploughs

(N.Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SALISBURY, April 17

Champion ploughmen from 18 countries, including New Zealand, are expected to take part in next week’s world ploughing championships near the Rhodesian capital.

The New Zealand Government has refused to allow the Dominion champion Mr I. Blair, and three officials to take enough money out of the country for their stay inside Rhodesia, but the Rhodesian organisers have countered this by offering to pay all their expenses. About 10.000 visitors are expected at Norton, 25 miles west of Salisbury, for the two main days of the competition, and competitors and visiting officials will be taken on sight-seeing tours during I their stay in Rhodesia.

The first competitors are due to arrive this week-end and begin practising next Tuesday for the two main days of the competition, April 26 and 27. The 18 countries from which teams are expected are: Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada. Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ireland. Finland, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Rhodesia, Sweden, the United States and West Germany. The British Government has prevented two competitors, the British champion, Mr K. Chappell, and Mr R. Anderson, from sending their own ploughs to Rhodesia. The Commonwealth Office claims that to do so would be breaking the export ban imposed on Rhodesia. A British firm which off ered to lend ploughs to a number of Commonwealth entrants was stopped by the British Government from exporting ploughs to Rhodesia “even on a temporary basis for the period of the competition.” But the Rhodesians say they have beaten the plough ban—special equipment will be imported from South Africa for all competitors. Mr R. de Haas, director of the organising committee said: “We are sorry politics have been dragged into this event, but we will not allow them to interfere with the true spirit of the competition.”