‘Distortion’ from N.Z., Mr Cross says

Press, 6 August 1976, Page 3

‘Distortion’ from N.Z., Mr Cross says

PA Auckland, The New Zealand Olympic} Association chairman. Mr C.! L. S. Cross, arrived home yesterday angry about what ne regarded as attempts by some of his countrymen to have New Zealand expelled from the Olympic Games at Montreal. Some of the information received by Africans from New Zealand amounted to “distortion,” Mr Cross said. As an example, he cited a telephone call to the South African anti-apartheid campaigner, Mr Denis Brutus, in Montreal. Mr Brutus had} been working in Montreal; with the Supreme Council} for Sport in Africa to have} New Zealand expelled from} the Games. “Mr Muldoon was inter-; viewed by Dr Brian Edwards! on television in New Zea-! land, and said that the All'

Black tour of South Africa I had the good will of the Government and people of New Zealand. Within half an hour, Mr Brutus had been telephoned from Auckland and been given the distorted information that Mr Muldoon had given his blessing, and the blessing of the people of New Zealand to the tour. There is a big difference between good will and a blessing,” Mr Cross said. During the fortnight before the Games opened, Mr Cross spent up to 18 hours a day canvassing International Oympic Committee members j }on the vote he knew must} I come about New Zealanus j participation. | Mr Cross was critical of a! New Zealander, David Wick-} }ham. of the Halt All Racist [Tours organisation, who, Mr; [Cross said, had worked with; the Africans who sought to; 'have New Zealand expelled.}

i “It was pretty tough when II was working more or less [single-handed to keep New [Zealand in the Games to have }a New Zealander working ; like that,” Mr Cross said. Mr Cross said that Mr ■ Brutus had continued his .campaign against New Zealand even after the 1.0. C. | had voted to keep New Zealand in. Mr Cross said he believed that the 1.0. C. decision to keep New Zealand in the Games had “called the bluff of the Third World nations.”

Already, the organisers of the 1978 Commonwealth [Games at Edmonton had said that all members of the Commonwealth would be invited, “and if any countries chose not to come it was up to them.”

Lord Killanin had said that he was personally oppos'ed to the All Black tour of South Africa.

What was Mr Cross’s personal view' about the tour? “I am strenuously opposed to apartheid, or any form of discrimination, but I have always been in favour of continued communication,” Mr Cross said. “The isolation and [ostracism of South Africa [will never improve the situation.”