Rugby players for South Africa

Press, 28 December 1978, Page 10

Rugby players for South Africa

Sir, — Mr Don and his supporters may have a point when they protest that a number of other countries have continued sporting ties with South Africa. However, the spotlight is on New Zealand and, moral principles apart, it is in no position to do anything except tread warily. In this hard, cold world, if Russia and other powers, great or small, want to use a Rugby Union contact with South Africa as an excuse for a sporting boycott of our own little country as well, they are not likely to be deterred by a bleat of “ ’Tain’t fair.” — Yours, etc., V. F. WILKINSON. December 24, 1978.

Sir, — Like T. M. Moore (December 23) and we who are proud of this land, I am sick of Trevor Richards and his one sided campaign to discredit New Zealand. Why is he so silent about the atrocities in Africa and the rest of the world? He would have more support if he had the courage to criticise all countries alike instead of attacking his own country. All the world saw the crowning of “Miss South Africa” as “Miss World” but did he forward all the names of the participating countries? No doubt he was small enough to list New Zealand. —

Yours, etc., M. D. TURNER. December 23, 1978.

Sir, — M. G. McNabb questions the lack of understanding of the real issue of

the rugby players going to South Africa but does the correspondent know the real issue? Has he lived there and does he understand the problem of caring, I repeat caring, for the overwhelming millions of black people? We cannot all get first-hand knowledge but we can read and listen to travellers who have no axe to grind. Does M. McNabb ask himself why other African states which have black rule such as Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, etc., all have high rates of massacre of black men by black men? Ha„ he forgotten that film of the starving Ethiopians? It amazes me that so many think rugby is the issue. — Yours, etc., L. TODD. December 19, 1978. i