M.P. against tour

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32941, 13 June 1972, Page 2

M.P. against tour

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 12. For 50 years New Zealand had given an aura of respectability to sport with South Africa, said the AU*, for Northern Maori (Mr M. Rata) today. Mr Rata, with Mr T. O. Newnham. secretary of the Citizens Association for Racial Equality, was speaking at a lunch-time meeting at Auckland University. “For 50 years,” Mr Rata said, “the position has got worse. The policy of building bridges has got worse.” He thought that New Zealand should decline to issue sporting invitations to South Africa until the policy of apartheid was dropped. This would entail some sacrifice by New Zealanders, who would, however, be facing the issue. Earlier, Mr Rata outlined some of the courses of ac-

tion which the Labour Party would take on the forthcoming Springbok tour, if it were the Government. Mr Rata said that it would tell the New Zealand Rugby Football Union that its invitation to the Springboks would run counter to the nation’s international responsibilities. The tour was likely to create a division in the community, blur the law and

order issue and have an effect on the Commonwealth Games, he said, adding that the African people required the country’s moral support. "On these points I consider that the Government would be obliged to inform the Rugby union of its responsibilities on the matter, and invite it to reconsider the decision.” Mr Newnham said that the Government should be trying to discourage, instead of encourage, apartheid sports tours. The Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) had given "the green light” for the tour with his March statement, which supported the philosophy of building bridges with South Africa.

“Admittedly in the weeks since then he has been flashing the amber light, but just flashing it, because he always returns to the March 7 statement,” said Mr Newnham.