Rugby players for S.A.

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 20

Rugby players for S.A.

Sir, — I believe a principle concerning freedom of choice is being overlooked. “Freedom involves responsibility.” If I act irresponsibly I hurt myself and/or others. So the law and convention impose restrictions on my freedom to choose. Such restrictions are not a denial of freedom to make my own moral decisions, but rather a deterrent to my making irresponsible decisions. We do not think- we are losing our democratic fights when the Government rules, for example, that we must not “drink (much) and drive.” To keep the spirit of the Gleneagles Agreement the Government must make a firm decision that no sporting contacts be made with South Africa. —Yours, etc., DAVID C. MOORE. December 18, 1978.

Sir, — So once again you show how anti-South African you are in your editorial (December 14). You never seem to condemn the Communist countries or Uganda. You say that Mr Couch has spoken out of turn. What a lot of rot. At least we have one Cabinet Minister who has guts. At least he has been there twice, unlike Mr Taiboys w’ho has not been to South Africa. Mr Couch must show that he is a true New Zealander with the courage we were once known for throughout the world, and on no account must he retract his remarks. Newspapers such as yours have caused most of the trouble. You . have the nerve to say that the Government cannot risk giving the impression that it is divided or half-

hearted in preventing the slightest hint that New Zealand condones apartheid. Because we compete against the Communist countries, do we condone communism? — Yours, etc., H. WILLIAMS, Wellington. December 14, 1978. [“The Press” has often, in editorials, condemned Uganda specifically and communist countries in general for aspects of their politics or society which are offensive to New Zealanders. Mr Couch is entitled to his opinion, but not, surely, to undermine the policy of the Government of which he is a member. To abandon the principle of Cabinet’s collective responsibility would be to throw the whole political system in doubt.—Editor]