Anti-apartheid umbrella group

Press, 21 February 1978, Page 5

Anti-apartheid umbrella group

A new anti-apartheid co-i ordinating organisation has been formed in Christchurch. The Christchurch Coalition Against Apartheid, which had its first annual meeting on Saturday, has been founded by existing antiapartheio organisations and representatives of church and other community groups. The coalition’s secretary (Mr G. Davidson) said the aim of the organisation would be to combat the increasing tide of pro-apar-theid propaganda flooding ; New Zealand, and to educate ; New Zealanders about the nature of apartheid. i “We will try to support 1 all organisations and people fighting racism, both in ! South Africa and at home,” he said.

| The coalition’s president (the Rev. J. Consedine) said the organisation would also supplement other anti-apar-theid groups. “Tot example, in conjunction with H.A.R.T. we will actively work to encourage Rotarians not to welcome their white South African counterparts now touring New Zealand,” he said. “We will also offer support to the Aid For Southern Africa organisation, a new national grouping which seeks to help the victims of apartheid,” Father Consedine said. “This marks a new phase in our struggle to educate New Zealanders as to the horror of apartheid and New Zealand’s considerable links with it,” he said. “The battle is really only beginning.”