Canty union stops short of opinion on S.A. tour

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 6

Canty union stops short of opinion on S.A. tour

The Canterbury. Rugb v Union stopped short of giving a formal expression of opinion at its- meeting last evening on whether the proposed Springbok, tour next year should eventuate.

Instead, after a brief discussion on the topic, the union’s management, committee voted to leave the matter in the hands of its delegates if, and when, the,subject should be raised'at the .‘annual meeting in Wellington: later this week of the New Zealand union. However, of the five speakers all but one expressed a firm view that the tour should proceed as planned. The one exception was Mr G. G. Don. Mr Don said he had tried hard to look Impartially, at the whole question of sporting contact with South Africa and to-this end he

had read alp he could on the subject.

“But I am just not totally convinced one way or the other.and I think there are a lot of people like me. I am simply not sure and I could not vote on the matter,” said Mr Don.

Mr M. R. Inglis, whose views were endorsed'by the other protour speakers,- said he did not believe that finance should enter into the question at all. This was an apparent reference’ to newspaper reports that rugby in New Zealand • needed the Springboks to. improve its finances. “Not for financial reasons should the tour take place, but because of the so-called bridge building policv which I believe has been successful. South Africa has big problems, anyone who has been there knows that, but I believe rugby has done more than any other sport

to help solve some of these problems and it can do more if this tour takes place, especially if the Springboks are selected on merit,” said Mr Inglis.. Enlarging on-the same theme, Mr- W. A. Russell said that the 1976 All Black tour to South Africa made “the first chink in the apartheid' system” and, he added, much progress had been made since then.

“Further contact will serve to break down, a” system which in principle is abhorrent to us all. Isolating • South Africa will achieve nothing.” V'..'- • ’ There was a; feeling among gome members-that the union should move a motion of opinion. However, the majority were content to allow their representatives to speak as they saw fit if ■ the subject is debated In Wellington.