Non-Whites’ Action Against All Blacks

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 1

Non-Whites’ Action Against All Blacks

(From T. P. McLEAN) BLOEMFONTEIN, July 16. The first sign of political action by nonwhites against the All Blacks was disclosed on Wednesday when the South African Labour Party—which is non-European in membership —called on its members to boycott the New Zealanders’ two matches at Port Elizabeth.

The president of the Labour Party (Mr Sonny Leon) emphasised that he was not making the appeal to mem-

bers out of disrespect for the All Blacks. But the party, ie said, was concerned that nonwhites could attend sporting fixtures at the Port Elizabeth Stadium, only under permit “The call is made,” the “Rand Daily Mail” yesterday quoted Mr Leon as saying, “to bring home to the Establishment that non-whites are not prepared to be pushed continually into the background in sport without a protest “If we cannot participate and compete with teams representing all races, our party feels that the time has come to refuse to support the fixtures.” In elections some months ago fora Native Council, the labour Party scored decisively. An outcry followed when the Government appointed several of its own nominees to the council.