N.Z. asked to support U.N. on racism

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32561, 22 March 1971, Page 16

N.Z. asked to support U.N. on racism

If the New Zealand Government did not give full and unconditional backing to the United Nations fight for the elimination of racism throughout the world, New Zealand might be faced with scenes of unprecedented violence, the president of the New Zealand University Students’ Association (Mr D. B. C, Cuthbert) said yesterday.

“If the New Zealand Government is to give substance to its oft-quoted opposition to apartheid it has an obligation to implement United Nations policy in this regard,” he said. The United Nations had designated 1971 as International Year for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Mr Cuthbert said, and it had called on all States and organisations to suspend cultural, educational, sporting, and other exchanges with the racist regime in South Africa.

“The New Zealand University Students’ Association has tried every peaceful means possible to get the New Zealand Government to accept its responsibilities and to take action against racism in South Africa. “At this stage I can only say that if our Government continues to abstain from voting for crucial motions against apartheid at International meetings, its alleged stand against apartheid will continue to be nothing more than deceit and duplicity,” Mr Cuthbert said. If the Government failed to take a firm stand against sports contacts with South Africa concerned New Zealanders would be forced to take militant action in sup-

port of United Nations policies, he said. Much had been done in the last few years to encourage dissent within peaceful and democratic processes, Mr Cuthbert said.

“When those in power in this country show such a scant regard for these democratic processes many people are going to be forced by their consciences to take a less peaceful approach. z “One thing is unmistakably clear,” Mr Cuthbert said. “If the proposed 1971 Springbok cricket tour and the planned 1973 Springbok Rugby Tour of New Zealand eventuate, the threat of violence will be greater and the divisions in this country more acute.” The Government could take a positive approach by banning all sports contacts with South Africa and by refusing to allow the New Zealand bowls team to visit Rhodesia next year. “So long as the Government refuses to take action to change its relationships with South Africa its claim to support the United Na? tions actions against racism is sheer mockery,” Mr Cuthbert said.

“That organisation has given a lead to the world which New Zealand can only I ignore at: it? own peril.”