H.A.R.T. still aims to disrupt golf

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32715, 18 September 1971, Page 1

H.A.R.T. still aims to disrupt golf

The Halt AU Racist Tours organisation will proceed with its intention to disrupt the Auckland centennial golf tournament. The national chairman (Mr T. Richards) said last evening that H.A.R.T. considered that the recent information from the South African Non-European Golf Union in no way changed the situation.

“It is clear from statements made by Mr B. Heartland, president of the South African Golf Union, when he referred to splinter groups amongst non-European golfers, that the Non-European Golf Union does not represent all non-white South African golfers although this is obviously what we are led to believe by the letter to the New Zealand Golf Association," said Mr Richards. “Independent South African sources approached late last month by Mr T. O. Newnham, of C.A.R.E., indicated that although there were several non-white golfers good enough to make the trials, none were invited to do so,” he said. "’However, even if the contents of the letter were entirely accurate, it would not change our attitude to the

tour in any fundamental way whatsoever.” H.A.R.T. would only be prepared to accept South African golfers in New Zealand when the team came from a nonracial body, a body which anyone could join, and where all were treated equally, Mr Richards said. H.A.R.T. had never at any stage refused ■an invitation from anybody to sit down and talk about racist sport. To do so now, at this particular point in time, would be both unreasonable and provocative.

“We are still hopeful that the New Zealand Qolf Association will withdraw the invitation issued to tiie South Africans," Mr Richards said. “It is this that we will be urging upon members of its council when we meet them next week.”