'No apartheid’ say churches

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33932, 27 August 1975, Page 14

' No apartheid’ say churches

After a long debate, the National Council of Churches decided to reaffirm its position yesterday in opposing sporting contact with South Africa, particularly the proposed 1976 All Black tour.

Several delegates at the annua! meeting in Christchurch felt that if they opposed the tour the council would be isolating many South Africans who needed their help. ’

The council’s position was to build bridges, and to help people if they could. The Rev. S. Dawson, who moved the report from the National Council of Church executive, said that by opposing sporting contacts with South Africa, it was one point of “leverage” which might help to rectify the “unjust system" of apartheid. The council decided that it is part of the Christian prophetic witness to expose, and to denounce all powers which were opposed to God’s urpose for mankind. “We see apartheid as practised in South Africa in this light. We therefore must continue to expose its injustices, and to denounce its oppression,” it said.

After examining alternative courses of action, ranging from diplomatic pressure to economic sanctions, the council felt that a sports boycott of South Africa was one significant way in which New Zealand could bring pressure for change to the “unjust” apartheid system.

"We therefore note with sorrow, that some New Zealand sporting bodies, both national and local, continue to seek sporting engagements with South Africa. Tn particular we note the Rugbv Union’s decision to go ahead with the

1976 All Black tour of South Africa.”

The council appealed to sports bodies, both national and local, to refuse sporting exchanges with countries such as South Africa, where race discrimination in sport was practised. They also decided to support H.A.R.T., C.A.R.E., and other organisations which oppose apartheid. This amendment was carried by 19 votes to 14. “We call on our member churches to give serious attention to this matter, to reaffirm their disapproval of apartheid, and to join in a concerted attempt to bring about the cancellation of the 1976 rugby tour,” the council said.