OPPOSED TO BAN

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32215, 6 February 1970, Page 15

OPPOSED TO BAN

Ashe Visa Hearing (N.Z.Pj A. -Reuter—Copurtoht) I WASHINGTON. The Negro tennis player, A. R. Ashe, who was refused a visa to play in the South African national championships, told a Congressional hearing yesterday that he did not think the United States should retaliate by barring South African sportsmen from competing in America. But Ashe said the United States Government should use all resources at its disposal to force South Africa to cease its "abhorrent and inhuman” policy of racial segregation ; Ashe testified before the ( | House of Representatives;, Africa sub-committee, whose ' Negro chairman, Mr CharlesDiggs, had called on the! United States Government to take reciprocal action against South African sportsmen after the refusal of a visa to Ashe. Mr Diggs asked Ashe whether he agreed that the United States Government should keep out South African sportsmen. Ashe replied: “My emotional reaction is, don’t let any of them in. However, my moral conscience tells me we should not stoop to the level of South Africa.” He said he confidently expected South Africa to be, barred from the Davis Cup| and suspended from the In-! ternational Lawn Tennis! Federation within the next six months.