S.A. told to end its ‘detestable’ system

Press, 9 October 1980, Page 6

S.A. told to end its ‘detestable’ system

NZPA. New York South Africa must end the “detestable” system of apartheid or face a vicious and bloody conflict, the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) told the United Nations yesterday, - During his address to the General Assembly. Mr Muldoon welcomed the admission of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and said a similar transfer of power was also needed in South African-oc-cupied Namibia. “If there is to be lasting stability, however, the South African Government must move ahead with the dismantling of the apartheid system in South Africa itself,”he said. “If there are signs that the present rulers of South Africa are beginning to understand the need for change, there is less evidence of serious commitment to this course,” he said.

“They must now demonstrate, clearly and unequivocally, by their actions and policies that institutionalised racism and the injustices and suffering that apartheid has inflicted on generations of- Africans are being brought to an end.

“There is no other way to a .peacefuf future. The alternative, a vicious and bloody conflict, must be avoided, “It can be, but only if the South African Government will promptly set about overturning the detestable system of apartheid.” In New Zealand, the New Zealand Rugby Union’s pol-

icy on the Springbok tour come under fire from Paniamentarians and a rugby referee. The issues involved in the planned tour next year were too important to be left in the. hands of ...the Rugby Union, Mr F. D. O’Flynn (Lab., Island Bay) told Parliamentyesterday. Mr O’Flynn said he and most other members of the Opposition had some sympathy with the view that sports bodies should be left to make their own decisions. But that view had its limitations. “It is quite clear that the Question (of the tour’s proceeding) is one that it is important to our foreign policy. We cannot leave questions of that importance to be decided by a t sports organisation,” he said. The Government should face up to its responsibility and stop the tcur by refusing entry permits. “That is already done where it is thought the interests of the State require it,” Mr O’Flynn said. The Minister of Police (Mr Couch) had earlier told Parliament that he had not received a report from the police on the implications as they saw it if the tour proceeded. It was his intention to keep the police from being the “meat in the sandwich.”

“We will only act when we are asked to act,” Mr Couch said. • New Zealand blood would be spilt on every rugby field in the country if the Spring-

bok tour took place, said Mr Ji;J. Terris (Lab. Western Hutt). The tour would lead to racial conflict. New Zealand’s attitude to racism, both at home and abroad, was the real issue at stake. Mr Terris said the Govment must decide whether the-Springbok tour was morally right. This, and not the talk about the Gleneagles Agreement, was the real issue, be said. The Deputy Minister of Finance (Mr Templeton) said the Gleneagles Agreement left it to each country to work in accordance with its law, and the Government would uphold the law. A West Coast rugby referee, the Rev. Brian Small, of Hokitika, will not officiate in matches next year if the tour, goes ahead, , says the Greymouth reporter, of “The Press.” ■■- •’ " '' • - "In spite of the pleadings of various groups and churches throughout New Zealand — my . own Methodist Church among them — the Rugby Union still intends to invite the Springboks to tour our country,” he said. “Over a number of years now, I have enjoyed refereeing rugby in four unions throughout New Zealand and I have a deep affection for the sport. However, I cannot, in all conscience, give any support to this tour.

“It is therefore with deep regret that I announce .that I will be unavailable for refereeing next season if the proposed tour goes ahead,” he said.