No Rugby, No Trade?

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31987, 14 May 1969, Page 16

No Rugby, No Trade?

The former chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr T. C. Morrison, has missed the point being made by those opposing the tour of South Africa. Sportsmen and sports bodies had a right to object to their sport’s being used as an instrument to oppose the policies of the South African Government, he has said. His simultaneous contention that sport is one of the greatest instruments for promoting understanding and advancing human progress might, on the other hand, suggest that Mr Morrison is keen to see Rugby used as an instrument to influence South African opinion. The point being made by many critics of the tour is that the South African Government uses sport to bolster its policies, and loses no opportunity of suggesting that visits from sportsmen of other countries demonstrate that they are not opposed to apartheid. Because of its almost fanatical following among white South Africans, Rugby football particularly lends itself to this purpose, as did the “white” South African Games.

Political, diplomatic, and commercial contacts with South Africa may be used to support or oppose apartheid if those concerned so elect But trade with South Africa does not necessarily imply approval of apartheid any more than one businessman’s dealings with another imply that they share common opinions on political beliefs and practices. If a major sports tour of South Africa carried no political implications —especially those deliberately contriyed by the South African Government—there would be little ground for objecting to a Rugby tour or any other sports tour.

Mr Morrison appears to misunderstand the position taken by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk). In a statement on behalf of the Labour Party, Mr Kirk said on March 25: “ Though it would be most “ concerned to see that nothing was done that could “be fairly construed as support for apartheid, a “Labour Government would not stop anyone from “ going to South Africa. . . . While the right of the “ Rugby Union to make its decision is not contested, “ I do sincerely regret its decision to go to Rhodesia.” He said reservations about the tour were not easily set aside and he certainly seems on no occasion to have said that the tour should take nlace. The Government has been equally cautious about intervening in what it regards as a decision for the Rugby Union; but the Prime Minister, too, has refrained from saying that the tour should go ahead.