H.A.R.T. sends clips on Games boycott

Press, 3 August 1976, Page 3

H.A.R.T. sends clips on Games boycott

PA Wellington The Halt All Racist Tours movement is sending all countries who boycotted the Olympic Games because of New Zealand’s presence, a

full set of newspaper clippings that discuss all aspects of their boycott, according to a statement yesterday by its chairman, Mr Trevor Richards.

This was being done in order to ensure that “the impact their action had in New Zealand is fully appreciated,” he said.

The clippings, taken from both the metropolitan and provincial press, will be accompanied by a letter from Mr Richards. Mr Richards said that since June 22, H.A.R.T. had sent no backgrounders to African or Commonwealth Governments. He also described as “humbug" the statement of the president of the New Zealand Federation of Sports (Mr J. R. Buckingham) that if any leader could be held responsible for the black boycott of the Montreal Olympics, it

was the Canadian Prime Minister (Mr Pierre Trudeau). “It seems that a small minority within New Zealand is determined to apportion blame anywhere other than where it actually belongs,” said Mr Richards. “H.A.R.T. can understand Mr Buckingham trying to fix the blame as far away from New Zealand as possible, for his recent efforts while overseas have been a significant factor contributing towards the low image African and other countries have towards New Zealand sport.”