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Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 18

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Mr kirk invoked <N.Z. Press Association) ’ i HAMILTON, Nov. 13 - The Prime Minister (Mr I Kirk) was involved in the [cancellation of South Africa'* (entry for the international I women’s bowling champion(ships in Wellington next ■month, it was disclosed by [the New Zealand Women.’* j Bowling Association this (evening. The association’s president ■(Mrs E. M. Wilcock) said in lan interview that she had received a letter from Mr Kirk |“some time ago” instructing (her as to the Government’s policy opposing South Afn (can teams playing in NewZealand if not selected on merit. “MUCH RELUCTANCE" Last July, the association announced that a special executive meeting had decided "with much reluctance” not to accept the South African entry, and a cablegram was sent to the South African association advising it of the decision. The association said then that the steps had been taken .in the interests of other 'countries taking part in the championships. Mrs Wilcock said this evening: “We would have liked the team to come to [New Zealand, but it was against the Governments policy. “The South African team would definitely have come if it had been able,” she said. “The South Africans have reacted very bitterly to this decision. They badly wanted to come.”