OPPOSITION TO RUGBY TOUR

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 8

OPPOSITION TO RUGBY TOUR

To mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Christchurch branch of the United Nations Association of New Zealand has issued a strong statement criticising the proposed Rugby tour of South Africa.

“Even though most New Zealanders have played and enjoyed Rugby football as children, it does not exonerate us from thinking as adults when we come of age. At some stage we must

realise that the world is bigger than a football field,” said the branch president (the Rev. T. P. Cloher). Rugby administrators had crossed the world to debate whether a penalty should be worth three points or two, but they seemed unwilling or uriable to come to terms with the real world of international penalties. The New Zealand Rugby Union could not be more offside with the international community than by persisting with a tour itinerary which included Windhoek and Salisbury, Father Cloher said. By its racist legislation the Rhodesian regime had discriminated against its native people. The sanction or penalty for this was nonparticipation in Rhodesian affairs. This penalty had been applied by the United Nations Organisation and backed by members of the British Commonwealth. It included sport. “Does the silence of Rugby administrators mean that they cannot understand the implications of the proposed All Black tour? Or does it mean that they imagine penalties can only be imposed on playing fields? “It is embarrassing for New Zealanders to face the prospect of a team carrying the country’s name to Africa in these circumstances,” said Father Cloher.