H.A.R.T. petition planned

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 4

H.A.R.T. petition planned

PA Wellington The Halt All Racist Tours movement will petition next month’s executive council meeting of the New Zeaiand Rugby Football Union to abandon all possibilities of being host to a 1981 Springboks tour.' H.A.R.T.’s national organiser, Ms Pauline McKay, said at the movement’s annual meeting yesterday: “We feel they should not have the luxury of discussing something of such importance in committee. They should face up to the fact that what they are doing is of national importance.” The chairman of H.A.R.T. (Mr Trevor Richards) raid a crucial area for H.A.R.T. support would be from the trade union movement. ‘With re-

gard to the Government's position, we believe the Government have themselves set the standard which they must apply,” Mr Richards said. He believed much of the Government pressure brought .to bear on New Zealand’s Olympic participation had not been revealed. If the Springboks toured New Zealand next year, it would be seen as clear New Zealand support for apartheid. Mr Richards said the success of the Springboks during the Lions tour would make South African whites more determined to send a team to New Zealand.

Ms McKay saw the five screening of the tests as a way of building up support for the tour.