Opposition expressed by Mr Kirk and F.O.L.

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32861, 9 March 1972, Page 3

Opposition expressed by Mr Kirk and F.O.L.

New Zealand’s relationships with Asian and Pacific countries were tremendously important to this country’s future, and should always be remembered when relationships with South Africa were being considered, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said yesterday.

He was commenting on the announcement by the Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) that the Government would not intervene to stop the 1973 Springbok tour of New Zealand.

“Remembering that most, ifnot all, of these countries are members of the United Nations, there will be many in New Zealand who will be uneasy about the way Mr Marshall’s lack of support for majority decisions in the United Nations may be interpreted,” Mr Kirk said. “Because this is so, there will be a great responsibility on Mr Marshall to show that his ‘bridge-building’ does not

turn out to be the building of one-way bridges. “For its part, the Labour Party is today, as it always has been, unalterably opposed to racial discrimination wherever it occurs,” said Mr Kirk.

“We are similarly opposed to anything that would upset race relations here or detract from New Zealand’s image on race questions abroad. "Apartheid is abhorrent to all like ourselves who believe in racial equality. Thus, the decision to invite a Rugby team selected on a racial basis to represent South Africa is one that we regret. “As opponents of apartheid, we do not favour such tours. Reservations about the tour are not easily swept aside. It would be regrettable if the idea went abroad that our people accept the tour without reservation, or that the findings of public opinion surveys disclose a tolerance for racial discrimination,” said Mr Kirk.

“The decision to invite a South African Rugby team to visit New Zealand was the decision of the Rugby union. “The Government did not issue that invitation. However, it should be made clear by Mr Marshall and the Government that, although the

tour is not going to be officially prohibited, neither will it seem to be officially endorsed,” said Mr Kirk. Mr Marshall was also criticised for his announcement by the president of the Federation af Labour (Mr T. E. Skinner), reports the Press Association. The F.O.L. had never deviated from its opposition to apartheid in all its forms and in all sports, he said. “We will continue our efforts and energies in support of the policy enunciated by the United Nations.” MOVE BY U.N.

In New York, the United Nations Committee on Apartheid decided today to send a letter of support and en-

couragement to the Halt All Racist Tours organisation and the Maori Organisation on Human Rights in New Zealand.

The letter will express the Apartheid Committee’s view that the recent visit to South Africa by a New Zealand softball team and other projected sports events with South African racially - selected teams were “tantamount to open support for the widelycondemned racist policies of South Africa.”