Sport returning as poll issue —P.M.

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 1

Sport returning as poll issue —P.M.

’A Wellington The National Government would not refuse visas to visiting overseas sports teams or withhold passports from New Zealanders wishing to travel abroad, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) yesterday. He said the Labour Party had not made it clear if a New Zealander wishing to travel to South Africa with the approval of his sporting association would get a passport from s Labour government. The Labour Party should clarify its policy. “It is full of inconsistencies,” he said. Mr Muldoon told a press conference that the question of international sport was becoming the

issue it was at the last General Election. He said the Gleneagles agreement made it clear that it should be carried out in accordance with the laws of the country concerned. “It is not in accordance with the laws of this country that we refuse passports to New Zealanders travelling abroad or visas to people coming to New Zealand who have not committed any crime,” Mr Muldoon said. National Party policy was in accordance with the agreement; Labour proposals appeared to go beyond it but were still “indefinite.” Answering questions, Mr Muldoon said the passage referring to the “laws

of individual countries” had been put in at his insistence. “There are three countries which are specifically concerned — ourselves, the United Kingdom, and Canada.” Reporter: South African sportsmen applying for visas will under a National Government, unless they have a conviction, get in? Mr Muldoon: That’s right. The Government would talk to the various sporting bodies in accordance with its commitment, Mr Muldoon said. “They’ll make the final decision. In many cases, they have decided not to proceed with the invitations.”