Telegram to be investigated

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32895, 19 April 1972, Page 18

Telegram to be investigated

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 18, The general secretary of the Labour Party (Mr J. F. Wybrow) is investigating a telegram sent in his name to the Mayor of Wellington (Sir Francis Kitts) in connection with the Springbok tour.

The telegram was apparently sent by a woman from a Wellington post office and was signed with Mr Wybrow’s name. It was to the effect that it was hoped that the Mayor would support the motion by Cr W. A. McKean at last night’s City Council meeting seeking to deny the use of Wellington City Council facilities to the Springboks. The telegram was addresed to Mr F. Kitts. The first Mr Wybrow knew about it was when the Mayor telephoned him and expressed surprise at having received the telegram. The Mayor had naturally assumed that if Mr Wybrow had something to say he would have written to him. Mr Wybrow afterwards wrote a letter to the Mayor denying the authorship of the telegram. The letter was read at last night’s meeting of the council. Hissing, heckling and cries of “Fascist” greeted the decision by the Wellington City

Council last night not to deny council facilities for the 1973 Springbok Rugby tour,However, a motion refusing any reception or function for the Springbok team, managers or supporters, was passed by nine votes to six.