South African travel

Press, 3 July 1978, Page 12

South African travel

Sir, — Go ahead with the promotion of tourism and natural splendour of South Africa and ignore the voices of those who, from 12,000 comfortable miles, advocate the creation of conditions in a land where they themselves would never prefer to live. The Government of South Africa is well aware of the present shortcomings any needs, and is full steam ahead in building a homeland for future generations where only peace, prosperity and harmony will blossom. It is a sad fact that few countries, past and present, came into existence without pain and sorrow. If it is true that South Africa is passing through this stage today, the streams of money-laden tourists can only shorten this passage, and come back as witnesses of the truth and the facts. — Yoiirs, etc., J. ARLOV. June 29, 1978.

Sir, — There are those who excuse South African repression by pointing out so-called selective morality of the Anti-Apartheid movement, in this case the Christchurch Coalition Against Apartheid. However, the coalition’s only rationale is opposition to all links with South Africa. As a result, the coalition has no policy on tourist supplements on Russia and repression in Uganda. The coalition is a pressure group. It is not a political party. Yet becoming that is not demanded of anyone else. The New’ Zealand anti-apartheid movement seems singled out for furious attacks. In the light of thousands of Rand spent by the South African propaganda machine it> is u; hagd

to see why. Of all the Western nations, New Zealand matters most to white South Africa. — Yours, etc., GERALD DAVIDSON. July 1, 1978. [This correspondence is now closed.—Editor]