Socred’s tour view

Press, 15 April 1981, Page 10

Socred’s tour view

PA _■ .Wellington The Social Credit member of Parliament for East Bays (Mr G. T. Knapp) has questioned the attitude of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) towards the proposed Springbok tour. “Mr Talboys's statement that ‘the essential argument on the tour issue is about apartheid and whether we, as New Zealanders, are seen, unjustified though it might be, to condone it s shows a •curious attitude in his priorities and judgment,“ he said. “To most New Zealanders the essential issue is about . freedom and basic human rights. To those opposed to the tour — the rights and

freedoms of the Coloured and black races of South Africa: and to those supporting the tour — the rights and freedoms of New Zealanders to associate reasonably with ■whomever they like. “The other issues. raised are extras and should not cloud the main issue," Mr Knapp said. “So far the Government has held to the principle of New Zealanders’ freedom, having priority over anyone else’s. “Holding to that principle does not mean and never will mean, no matter what others •say and think, that the New •Zealand Government or people condone apartheid. It

ns well established in the world that New Zealand is opposed to racial discrimination of any kind. “Mr Taiboys would do more for New Zealand's interest if he were to spend more of his efforts on the international front selling our record in this field and opposing those nations that .threaten our sportsmen and sportswomen around the world with retaliation. “Sport must continue to be, in spite of politicians; a contact point for people of all religions, ideologies, regimes, and beliefs. “If a nations actions or policies are considered so bad that we' cannot play sport with them then surely the Government should have carried out action at a higher political level to give a lead to sportsmen and sportswomen/ - Mr Knapp said.