Sports ban rejected

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 18

Sports ban rejected

PA Wellington | Government employing I authorities, other than the I State Services Commission, would consider applications from State Servants seeking leave to play sport against South Africans, the chairman of the State Services CoR. M. Williams) has said. The State Services Commission announced last week that New Zealand sportsmen and women would not be granted leave, paid or unpaid, to compete against] South Africans. Such leave] should not be sought, "and where it is sought, will be! declined,” the commission! said. It was announced on Tues-] day that Post Office staff, might be exempt from the: ban, because the Post Office' did not come within the commission’s employing oowers and the department’s Director-General would be i prepared to consider applications for special leave. The Postmaster-General

(Mr Couch) has expressed, vehement opposition to the ban, which he described as “discriminatory.” The Railways Department and the Armed Forces, both said on Tuesday that they would adhere to the ruling, although neither was covered by the commission. However, at a meeting in Wellington on Wednesday the Railways Department, the Ministry of Defence, the | Post Office, and four other 'State employers all rejected • the commission’s ruling, and promised to consider all applications from their staff. i The other four dissenting (authorities at the meeting ivesterdav were the Health Department, the Education • Department, the Police Department, and the Fire Ser- • vices Commission The State : Services Commission was also represented at the meeting. Dr Williams said after ’he meeting that the State Ser-; vices Commission had elaborated on the basis on which

it riad reached its policy decision concerning the S anting of special leave to play sport with South Africans. “After discussion, it was agreed that all other employing authorities will consider any application lodged for special leave for sports activity on the merits of each individual case and in the light of all relevant fac tors, including those taker, into account by the State Services Commission and the terms of the Gleneagles Agreement,” Dr William: said. The State Services Com mission said last week thai its ruling was "to comba the evil of apartheid b\ withholding any form of support for and by taking every practical step to discourage” contact or competition between New ZeaI land nationals and sports organisations, teams, or ' sno'tsmen from South Africa.