Tour support by C.R.F.U.

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33156, 21 February 1973, Page 1

Tour support by C.R.F.U.

Unanimous support for the 1973 Springbok tour was expressed by the Canterbury Rugby Union’s management committee last evening.

Supporting the motion, Mr G. G. Don said that he was concerned about the attitude of many people who were letting political feelings cloud their sporting feelings.

“The Christchurch clubs have been canvassed fully and the vast majority have openly given their support to the tour,” he said. “I can’t tolerate the disruptive tactics of many people who use Rugby as a stepping stone to a political problem which is not theirs—l only

hope they will reconsider their attitude,” he added. “The vital factor is whether the tour is cancelled or not would it be beneficial to the coloured people of South Africa,” said Mr J. Mullins. “South Africa has been expelled from sporting contests for many years, but a boycott is not the answer. I say let’s build bridges, whether or not we agree with South Africa’s policy stated or actual,” he said. However, the Canterbury union, unlike a number of other unions which intend to back the Hawke’s Bay union’s idea of organising a public rally to support the tour, will not hold a public meeting. “We have been given a mandate from our clubs and have now given the tour our support,” said the chairman (Mr J; Storey). He agreed with a suggestion from Mr R. W. Thomas that the Canterbury union do nothing to incite the public. The secretary (Mr N. F. Moffitt) reported that he had received about eight telephone calls a day since the chairman of the New Zealand union (Mr J. L. Sullivan) had announced that arrangements for the tour would proceed. All had been in favour of the tour as was the correspondence he had received. One letter from the Canterbury Maori union expressed its support then requested a curtain-raiser to either the test or Canterbury fixture.