Church criticises Rugby Union

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 38188, 30 March 1973, Page 10

Church criticises Rugby Union

The North Canterbury Methodist Synod has written to the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) expressing its concern and “astonishment” over the Rugby Union’s intention to proceed with its invitation to the Springboks.

The Synod has asked the Government to prevent the tour. “In the face of overwhelming evidence as to the political and social consequences I of its actions, the New Zea-

dand Rugby Union has be!come intransigent in its intention to proceed with the I invitation,” said the Synod. I It objects to the Springbok team being restricted, by order of the South African Government, to those classified as “white.”

| FREEDOM “NO LONGER” ; It described the policy expressed in the Labour Party’s 1972 Manifesto, allowing sports bodies freedom from political interference. as “generally valid.” But, it said. ! “We have since become more aware of the consequences to the country if this particular tour is proceeded with. “We consider that the issue has gone beyond being a matter of freedom for a sporting body to act in terms of a particular sport, and it is now a national issue affecting the interna] welfare of our New Zealand society and our place in the international scene. We believe the present situation to have arisen from a deeper moral issue. “We now urge the Government of New Zealand to take the serious but necessary step of preventing the tour of a Springbok Rugby team selected on a racial basis.”