Union Reaffirms All Black Tour

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32216, 7 February 1970, Page 13

Union Reaffirms All Black Tour

. (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. A denial that the New Zealand Rugby Union should declare itself in relation to the All Black tour of South Africa this year was made yesterday by the chairman of the national executive (Mr J. L. Sullivan).

Stating that the IN.Z.R.F.U. had already made its position clear, Mr Sullivan rebutted criticism calling for the union to state its position. “I will remind everyone

that the N.Z.R.F.U. accepted an invitation from the South African Rugby Board to tour this year. “The position is very clear. The itinerary was accepted and made public. Trials were arranged for May, the venues being decided. “Selectors were appointed at an unusually early date for the simple reason that we wanted them to have time to have a good look at players and make known the requirements. “Today, managers were appointed. I don’t know what else is necessary to state our position. To say that it is time we decided on our stand regarding this tour is contrary to fact,” Mr Sullivan said. Loud cries of “Hear, bear," from councillors greeted the chairman’s statement at the council meeting yesterday morning. TEAM MANAGER

Mr R. L. Burk (Auckland) was appointed manager of the All Black team to South Africa, and Mr I. M. H. Vodanovich was appointed assistant manager.

Mr Burk won in a ballot from Messrs E. L. Todd and| M. S. Ingpen. Mr Vodano-' vich was unopposed. “DAY OF SHAME"

“Waitangi Day 1970 is national day of shame,” said the national chairman of the Halt All Racist Tours organisation, Mr T. L. Richards, in a statement in Auckland yesterday. “One hundred and thirty years ago,” he said, “representatives of both white and non-white people signed a treaty which embodied the belief that it was both possible and desirable for two races to live together. “Today, the Government refuses to be drawn into a discussion on a sporting event, which, if it takes place, will lend comfort to a ruling clique who openly oppose all that is the spirit of Waitangi.” The Government was refus-, ing to comment on this mat-! ter, said Mr Richards, simply because it did not want to become involved in a controversial matter.