S. African lifesavers give statement of principle

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32524, 6 February 1971, Page 19

S. African lifesavers give statement of principle

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. The South African Surf Life-saving Association was a completely multi-racial body which existed solely for the saving of human life from the sea, without reference to the race, colour or creed of the rescuer or the person saved.

This point was made by the chairman of the council of the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association (Mr A- L Ryan), when he released the text of a letter which he had just received from the secretary of the South African body (Mr G. Botha). A surf life-saving team from South Africa is to visit New Zealand between March 2 and March 17. It will take part in the New Zealand championships at Waimairi on March 4-7 and a test match at Waihi Beach on March 13.

The secretary of the New Zealand Race Relations Council (Mr T. O. Newnham) has already said in a letter to the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) that the surf association’s action in permitting the tour flies in the face of the United Nations resolution on apartheid, and has said that because of possible violence the Government should concern itself with the tour. The South African body is divided into four provincial associations, Western Province, Eastern Cape, Southern Natal and Central Natal. Each year a national executive of seven officers is elected, the letter says. Any member, including non-whites, may attend the annual meeting and speak. There is also a law and policy-making council; again, any member, white or non-white, may speak at council meetings. The provincial associations each have their own committees, and each club has equal representation. There are 32 clubs in South Africa, of which seven are non-white — two in Western Province, two in Eastern Cape and three in

Central Natal. The total active membership is 1024, of whom 175 are non-whites. The non-white clubs receive the same equipment, financial assistance and support as do the others. Their members are trained and examined, and the national qualification for surf-patrol status is the same. "Our movement was proud when recently two nonwhite members qualified as judged for the first time. Several have qualified as instructors,” Mr Botha said. “The foundation of our association, as yours, is to save and protect people from the dangers of the sea. We are life-savers, and our members save lives irrespective of race, religion, politics, colour, weight, sex, bank balance or Rugby-playing ability. A white life-saver is expected to rescue and resuscitate any non - white and vice - versa. Our members have not let us down. When the ranger is there, the duty is there—a duty no different if the beach be in Auckland, Sydney or Capetown.”

TEAM SELECTION Mr Botha explained that five selectors were picked to select a team of fifteen competitors; eighty were nominated, including four nonwhites. The selectors reduced the number to 30 by ability tests, which eliminated the four non-white candidates. Mr Botha, who was one of the selectors, gives this assurance to the New Zealand body. “I can sincerely assure you that the aspect of colour was never considered—only the aspect of ability. Our team has not been selected from white clubs or non-white clubs. It has been selected as the best team in ability from all the members of our movement. If some in your country are not prepared to accept this because of their fixed and predetermined views, there is nothing we can do.”

Since its inception in 1933, seven ' meritorious-service awards have been made by the South African body: the fifth of these was made to Mr B. Singh, a non-white member.

Copies of the letter are being sent to Sir Keith Holyoake, Mr Newnham, and other interested parties, with a statement by the general secretary of the New Zaland association (Mr C. T. Jones).