Decision On South Africa

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31841, 20 November 1968, Page 19

Decision On South Africa

t.X.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright>

LONDON.

Whether the South African cricket tour of 1970 to England takes place will almost certainly be decided at a special general meeting of the full members of the M.C.C. on December 5.

This meeting, the first of its kind for more than 50 years, was called by 20 members after the events which ended with the cancellation of the M.C.C. tour to South Africa this year.

The M.C.C. tour was cancelled after South Africa indicated it would not accept B. d'Oliveira, a Cape Coloured, as an M.C.C. team member. The secretary of the M.C.C. (Mr S. C. Griffith) told a press conference that of about 10.000 full members and 4000 associate members, there had been 18 resignations as the result of the affair, and four of these had asked for reinstatement.

All full members have received in the post a pamphlet. setting out the resolution on which they will be asked to vote, and the arguments of each side. The resolutions on which voting will take place are:

‘That the members of the M.C.C. regret their committee's mishandling of affairs leading up to the selection of the team for the intended tour of South Africa in 1968-69. “That no further tours to or from South Africa be undertaken until evidence can be given of actual progress by South Africa towards non-racial cricket.

“That a special committee be set up to examine such proposals as are submitted by the South African Cricket Association towards non-racial cricket: The M.C.C. to report on progress to the annual general meeting

of the club and to the; governing body for; cricket—the M.C.C. coun-( cil.”