Announcement “deplorable"

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32860, 8 March 1972, Page 2

Announcement “deplorable"

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 7.

The statement by the Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) on sports contacts with South Africa was deplorable, said the secretary of the Citizens’ Association for Racial Equality (Mr T. O. Newnham) today.

“His arguments are unsound. He is deliberately and effectively ostracising South African non-whites.” said Mr Newnham.

“Mr Marshall does not approve of severing sports contact and building from the rubble. This is exactly what the strong Government stand on the Maori issue did in 1967. I believe he has misjudged the feeling of the country on this issue.” Mr Newnham said he believed that most New Zealanders opposed the invitation of the New Zealand Rugby Union to the South African Rugby Board for a tour by “white South Africans” in 1973. SURVEY FIGURES It would be absurd, said Mr Newnham, to quote a survey indicating four-fifths support for sports contact with South Africa. “I support sports contact with South Africa and would be included in this survey. But I do not support sports contact with white South Africans only.” More than 30 national organisations. including the Federation of Labour, the Public Service Association and the National Council of Churches had supported C.A.R.E. deputations in opposition to “apartheid sports tours," he said.

“Those who promote and support the Springbok tour will be promoting and supporting apartheid on New Zealand soil. New Zealanders cannot sit on the fence over this issue, and, for our part, we will resist it (the tour) resolutely all the way,” said Mr Newnham. ACTION PREDICTED

The chairman of the Halt All Racist Tours organisation (Mr T. Richards), said: “Irrespective of what Mr Marshall has said, the Government will find itself in a position where it is forced to act —probably before the end of the year, and certainly before the Springboks arrive in 1973.” Mr Richards said Mr Marshall’s comment that he would rather see the All Blacks play against a .fully representative Springbok side was the only chink of light in his statement.

Patriotic vandals.—Vandals with strong patriotic leanings broke into a Papatoetoe restaurant on Monday night, and had a party. They drank New Zealand wines and beers, and poured out the imported brands. The restaurant owner, Mr H. K. Viggars, said yesterday that the party cost him about $200.— (P.A.)