SUPPORT FOR I.O.C. ACTION N.Z. Body Votes 8-6 On S. African Resolution

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 18

SUPPORT FOR I.O.C. ACTION N.Z. Body Votes 8-6 On S. African Resolution

(Ntu> Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

A resolution deploring the action of the executive board of the International Olympic Committee in recommending the withdrawal of South Africa from the 1968 Olympic Games was lost by eight votes to six at last evening’s meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Olympic and British Commonwealth Games Association.

The resolution was proposed by Mr B. P. Hampton, a delegate of the Amateur Fencing Association, and seconded by Mr T. Verhoeven, of the Amateur Swimming Association.

Mr Hampton’s motion in full was;—That this association

(a) Note that South Africa has agreed to meet the original stipulation of the 1.0. C. executive for the inclusion of a South African team in the 1968 Olympics. (b) Reaffirm its support for South African participation subject to the continued compliance with the stipulations. (c) Deplore the action of the 1.0. C. executive board in now recommending the withdrawal of South Africa as a result of political pressure. (d) Reaffirm its views that national and international politics have no place in sport. Advised To Keep Out Mr H. N. Hunt (Amateur: Boxing Association) said he believed that New Zealand would be well advised to keep out of the dispute. “Our resolution won’t cut any ice overseas,” he said. “Like it or not, politics is in everything today and there is nothing we can do about it.” Mr L. W. Woods (Amateur Wrestling Union) said that however much members might privately like to see South Africa taking part at the Mexico Olympic Games, he thought the association would be well advised to keep out of the dispute at this stage. “After all, our attitude, if I made public now, might cost us votes when we apply at

Mexico City to stage the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch,” he said. Blackmail Alleged

Supporting the resolution, the chairman of the association, Mr C. L. S. Cross, said it appeared the executive board of the 1.0. C. had been blackmailed into asking for a change on the question of South Africa’s participation. “I would rather see that games not held at all than to see the LO.C. board held up to blackmail,” he said. “I feel we must speak out on this issue. If the other countries had kept as quiet previously, as some members here tonight are advocating we do now. then South Africa would be going to the games. “Why should we and other countries who oppose the board's decision shut up now?” he asked. “Beginning Of End” Mr Cross said he believed that by taking its latest move, the 1.0. C. had brought about its own destruction. "This must be the beginning of the end of the 1.0. C. as presently constituted,” he said. “With countries having said they would not attend the

Mexico Games if South Africa took part, I wonder what the 1.0. C? board’s reaction would be if other countries now said they would not take part at Mexico unless South Africa did also?” The president of the association, Mr H. I. Austad, said the matter was most deplorable and shook his confidence in the international board as administrators of the Olympic movement. Newspaper Reports Mr J. W. Holley (Amateur Athletic Association) said he could see no advantage in the association taking the matter any further, especially as no official notification of the question had come before the association. “We are relying entirely on newspaper reports at this stage,” be said. In his reply, Mr Hampton said he was not in favour of the “wait-and-see” attitude advocated by some members of the association. “I feel that now is the time to stand up and be counted. Now is the time to express our view, not later when a decision has been taken,” he said.

The motion was lost on a count of hands.