Canada puts N.Z. under pressure on racial sport

Press, 9 December 1976, Page 1

Canada puts N.Z. under pressure on racial sport

By

BRUCE KOHN,

NZPA staff correspondent

The Government is concerned that Canada’s diplomatic pressure for a tougher stance on sports exchanges with South Africa will rebound.

Its concern stems from advice that Ottawa fears that a breakdown of the 1978 Commonwealth Games would lead to the collapse of the Commonwealth. Government figures regard this linkage as tantamount to blackmail, and believe that if the Commonwealth is in danger of splitting apart on the sports issue its usefulness as a diplomatic, political, and cultural grouping is in question. The Canadian Government has made it clear to the Muldoon administration that it would like to see New Zealand adopt a stance of unqualified discouragement of sports contacts with South Africa.

The Canadians have apparently indicated that they do not expect the Government to interfere directly in the affairs of sports organisations. But they have pressed for unqualified discouragement,' similar to that expressed from time to time by the British Government. In pressing for the Government to take this line, Ottawa has emphasised that it fears the effect of a

breakdown in the Games on the future of the Commonwealth.

A point argued privately by Canadian representatives is that Canada’s relationship to the Commonwealth is vital to its overall foreign policy. Ottawa seeks to maintain a foreign policy as independent as it can be of that of the United States. It prizes its links with the Third World, and regards the Commonwealth as a key factor in its efforts to develop these world relationships. It is clear that the Muldoon Government feels strongly that the Commonwealth Association is of benefit to New Zealand, and that it resents the implication in the Canadian tactics that Wellington is less concerned about maintaining tte grouping than is Ofrawa.

Government figures also believe that it is not timely for Canada to increase the pressure on New Zealand, because they already see the effects of the policy of “dissuasion” announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) while he was in Africa recently. In an interview yesterday, Mr Taiboys said he was certain there had been a considerable change in

the attitude of New Zealanders towards sports contact with South Africa. “I am sure there is a reflection of this in recent decision that have been taken, whatever reasons were given.” Questioned about whether he felt he was under any pressure from Canada on the issue, Mr Taiboys said he was well aware o f Canadian concern that the Games should have full Commonwealth participation.

“I hope they have the opportunity to draw the attention of African countries to the changes taking place here. “I haven’t said the changes that have taken place here signify the end of the argument, but at least I feel there should be some acknowledgement of change. We want to see the Games proceed, and ail Commonwealth countries participate.

“But it must be recognised that the issue is simply not just one for the New Zealand Government. There are a number of bridges to cross, and Sir Keith Holyoake and I have put in a lot of work seeking to cross them.”

Further story, Back P.