P.M. Repeats Govt Views On Tour

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32315, 5 June 1970, Page 1

P.M. Repeats Govt Views On Tour

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent)

CANBERRA, June 4.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) reaffirmed today his belief that the Government should not interfere in sport.

Questioned by a reporter at an Australian National Press Club lunch about “sport and race” in New Zealand, Mr Holyoake said: "The Government is not in the business of sport. This is for sporting organisations, and individuals, to determine for themselves.”

Mr Holyoake said the questioi of sport and race was “very hot” in New Zealand at the moment because of the imminent tour of South Africa by the All Blacks. Five years ago New Zealand had declined to send a team to South Africa without Maoris. But the situation had changed and South Africa had accepted Maoris in the All Blacks team. So a side had been selected and included four or five players with some Maori blood, “Now there is tremendous agitation, ferment, opposition and the usual protesting,” he said. Five years ago it had been “No Maoris, no tour,” and this had been the Government’s attitude, Mr Holyoake said. “From time to time I think it is proper for the Government to say, ‘This is the standard of things as the Government sees them.’ But we are not in the business

of sport. We stand firmly on that.”

Mr Holyoake said that he did not know what would happen if sport were used in politics everywhere. The world would have to change greatly before he or his Government'gave any credence to a foreign or economic policy wl.ich used sport as . a weapon.

Maori Meeting Called IN.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 4. Maoris from many districts will meet in Auckland on Sunday afternoon to show their opposition to the coming All Blacks tour of South Africa. Mrs M. Penfold, one of the organisers of the meeting, said today that it was hoped to have the Maori M.P.s present. Only a small number of Maoris so far had voiced an opinion about the tour. ■ “The meeting has been organised by a group appointed specially for the purpose, and it is not in any way connected with any Maori movement,” said Mrs Penfold, who is an Auckland University lecturer. “We would like to show the pakeha that we are capable of standing on our own feet.”