N.Z. commitment to Gleneagles Agreement ‘the weakest’

Press, 16 January 1979, Page 2

N.Z. commitment to Gleneagles Agreement ‘the weakest’

PA Wellington’ New Zealand's commitment and adherence to the Gleneagles Agreement is labelled as "the weakest in the Commonwealth” in the latest international bulletin issued by the Halt All Racist Tours movement H A RT occasionally produces "backgrounders” on the New Zealand political and sports scene for dissemination overseas. The latest bulletin has been taken abroad bv the movement's chairman (Mr Trevor Richards), who left Wellington on Sunday to visi countries in the Pacific. Caribbean. North America. Europe. Africa and Asia He will be away for two months. The bulletin has two sections. The first deals with H A.R.T 's view of the New Zealand Government’s policy and attitude regarding the Gleneagles Agreement. The second deals with the controversy over the proposed Springbok tour in

T£Bl, and the New Zealand Rugby Union's decision to allow six players to go to South Africa. This section comprises mainly a record oi press clippings. In the introduction. H.A.R.T. says New’ Zealand ha had 25 sports contacts with South Africa, and in breach of the Gleneagles Agreement, since June. 1977. T hese are listed in an appen-’ dix Although it recognises that other Commonwealth countries have also had sports contacts with South Africa, it says the factor which distinguishes New'J Zealand from the rest is the performance of the Govern-1 ment H.A.R.T. says Government: attitudes towards sports contacts with Smith Africa have 1 been marked bv seven: clearlv discernible aspects. It. lists these as:— The continuing Government i attitude that the final decision should be made by sportsmen. The -ofusa! to apply effective pressure to stop

sports contacts with South Africa. The refusal to initiate contact with sports bodies known- to be having contacts with South Africa. Attempts by the Government to "reinterpret” the agreement saying it did not apply to individual sportsmen, such as South African squash players at the New Zealand open last year. Lack of unity within the Government, with some Government politicians expressing different views from their leaders. Anti-African comments, such as comments by the Prime Minister against the Nigerian diplomat. Mr Leslie Harriman and the sports leader, Mr Abraham Ordia. Attacks on the anti-apar-theid movement in New Zealand particularly on H.A.R.T. and the labelling of Mr Richards as a "dissident” and “traitor.”