RUGBY TOUR

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 16

RUGBY TOUR

Chief Justice Congratulated The Chief Justice (Sir Richard Wild) has been sent a telegram of congratulations on his publicly expressed but personal view that the All Blacks should tour South Africa this year. The' telegram, sent by Mr G. M. Edmonds, reads: “As a private citizen on behalf of all like-minded private citizens who have no racist axe to grind and who believe our representative sports teams selected on merit should compete against all countries, whether racial or multi-racial and regardless of political ideologies I congratulate you on the view you expressed on All Blacks tour of South Africa.” Mr Edmonds, of 45 Rowan Avenue, Aranui, is well known for his public opinions as a Social Credit League official, a member of the Social Democrat group, an organiser of unemployed, and a protector of pet meat shop operators. He emphasised that he had sent the telegram as a private citizen. “Sir Richard Wild is being persecuted just because he holds a view contrary to those who want the tour stopped," he said yesterday. “Every time somebody holds a view opposite to those who habitually make a song and dance about being liberal, he or she is castigated by those who uphold racial freedom, freedom to protest, freedom of speech and so on.” Mr Edmonds challenged the Bishop of Auckland (the Rt Rev. E. A. Gowing), who had signed the protest against Sir Richard Wild’s statement, to say whether he was speaking personally or for all Anglicans.

“Does Tom Skinner speak for all members of the F.O.L. and Eddie Isbey for all members of Parliament, when they sign the protest? Do they think the personal opinion of Sir Richard Wild carries more weight than theirs. It smacks of petty jealousy from persons avowedly in favour of free speech,” Mr Edmonds said.