P.M. criticised by churchmen
PA Wellington. Representatives of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches said in a joint statement yesterday that “in fixing the blame for what has happened at the Montreal Olympics we should not lose sight of the fundamental issue at stake — the right of black sportsmen to play for their country with whites.” Replying to reported comments by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon), that the action of the Africans at Montreal was a “contrived gesture,” the Rev. John Murray, convener of the Presbyterian church’s public questions committee and the Rev. Frank Hanson, convener of the Methodist Church’s international affairs committee, said that this type of comment would only worsen the situation both overseas and in New Zealand.
“The participation of our Olympic team has been vindicated by the 1.0. C., and while New Zealanders may be glad for the sake of our athletes that they are taking part in Montreal, we must also feel deeply ashamed.
“Our country now clearly stands before the eyes of the whole world as the centre of this tragic controversy. Because of the wilful disregard by the Rugby Union and other New Zealand sporting bodies of the calls of the United Nations to sever sporting ties with South Africa, as long as that country, practises racial discrimination in sport, some sportsmen must suffer. This time it is not our sportsmen but our brothers and sisters in Africa.”
The churchmen said New Zealanders must relaise now that the African nations were not playing a game of political bluff, but faithfully upholding the human rights of their fellow black sports-
men. “They have been willing to sacrifice their own chances for this cause.”
“The reported response of our Prime Minister, belittlihg the decision of so many African nations and the reason for their action, as well as casting a slur on groups in New Zealand which are committed to the elimination of racial discrimination, unfortunately can only worsen the situation both “.overseas and within our own countrv.
“What has happened at Montreal will never be forgotten.
“Let us hope that New Zealand will never again be the centre of such an unhappy situation.”
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Press, 22 July 1976, Page 7
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358P.M. criticised by churchmen Press, 22 July 1976, Page 7
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