Springbok tour

Press, 7 October 1980, Page 26

Springbok tour

Sir, — I am not sure if W. B. Mortlock (October 3) is serious or badly informed. First, there will be no Springbok tour. No government, democratically elected, can allow a minority to die-, tate to it and thus encourage conflict>within the country. It is irresponsible for Mr Taiboys to call the Rugby Union irresponsible and take no action. The' Government must always act for the greater good of its people. To say that the Government’s policy . of noninterference in. sport elected it in 1975 would suggest that voters were irresponsible -and overlooks the superannuation battle. The Roman Catholic bishops are opposing the anti-Christ, policies of South Africa, which are an affront to human dignity and an insult to God himself. Being a guest' on Parliament’s third floor

when Labour was. the Government making a similar tour decision, I hope this Government will do the same — let people have their say, then step in for the country’s best interest. —- Yours, etc., M. O’NEILL. October 4,-1980.

Sir, — Churchgoers in the Amuri Presbyterian parish will have the freedom to sign either Mr Murray’s personal petition or a letter to the New Zealand Rugby Union supporting the tour invitation to the Springboks. What a sad commentary on church stewardship that Mr Murray should feel justified in using freewill offerings from the whole church simply to prove a point to the Rugby Union, I wish I had access to church moneys to circularise every Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist church in New Zealand, but I shall be content, after three consecutive Sundays, to forward early in November our letter of support, to the New Zealand Rugby Union as a sample of what church people think. — Yours, etc., (Rev.) DON CLEARWATER, Waiau. October 4, 1980.

Sir, -— A spate of words has gushed forth arguing the pros and cons of the invitation sent to the South African Rugby Board from our principal “religious body,” the New Zealand Rugby Football Union. Both the Prime Minister and his deputy have expressed pious hopes that reason will prevail. This can only imply that the high priests of rugby will undergo a conversion and “see the • light.” Whether that “light” illumines the unenviable lot of the vast majority in South Africa, or whether it highlights our possibly endangered international trade, cultural and other sporting relations remains to be seen. Such hopes, however, appear to. be of the forlorn variety. Many years ago Alexander Pope . wrote prophetically: “The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling passion conquers reason still.” — Yours, etc., LES BOGREN. October 5, 1980.