CALL TO PUBLISH TOUR REPORT

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32252, 21 March 1970, Page 1

CALL TO PUBLISH TOUR REPORT

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. -March 20. A call for the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) to publish the Ministry of Foreign Affairs report on the coming All Black tour of South Africa was made today by the Citizens’ Association for Racial Equality.

The association's secretary eminent to give a strong lead. (Mr T.O. Newnham) said in In s 0 far as tj>® 9 ( ov , ern ”’ e " t ' < does-not do this, it is regara statement that Mr Holyoake roun d the world as sup had called for such a report por t for racism.”

some time ago. “It is surely in the public interest that this report should be published as soon as possible, that there should be a full Parliamentary debate, and that if necessary, a national referendum on the tour should be issued,” he said.

He said his statement was issued to mark the tenth anniversary of Sharpeville Day, when 69 unarmed Africans were killed and 180 were wounded by South African police gunfire. The day had been set aside by tie United Nations, with New Zealand concurrence, as an international day for the elimination of racial discrimination he said. Neither Governments nor sportsmen nor anyone else could remain aloof from the issue, he said. When the issue arose internationally New Zealand was committed to participation in racial sport by the “establishment,” whethei by positive commitment by sports administrators or by a negative attitude on the part of the Government.

“Many of our sports administrators, most notably at present those on the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association and the New Zealand [Rugby Union, do not pretend [that they understand the I issues involved,” he said. “This being so, it is all the more incumbent on the Gov-

He said that the recent United Nations Security Conn cil decision on Rhodesia was clear enough. “New-Zealand as a nation Cannot continue to put a blind eye to the telescope when we are asked about the implications of sending a national Rugby team to play in Rhodesia,’’ he said.