Leaders call for ’Bok tour ban

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 2

Leaders call for ’Bok tour ban

Most metropolitan Christ'church local body leaders - yesterday called on the New J Zealand Rugby Union to can- » cel tbe Springbok tour. * After a special meeting 7 called by the Mayor of Ric- - carton (Mr R. W, J. Barring--ton), the mayors and county 7, chairmen sent a telegram to * the Rugby Union. * Mr Harrington said that -the greatest fear was the danger of violence that could ' develop “through no fault of - the people attending such , rugby fixtures” if the contro- - versial tour went ahead.

- The telegram said: “We ' feel that innocent people - could become involved in "situations not of their mak- - ing, much to their detriment, ” and also the detriment of the Z sport of rugby.” The Christchurch area

leaders did not agree with South Africa’s internal policies, but their greatest concern was for local residents “and the disruption and danger that could be caused by the tour of a South African rugby team.

"We are also of the opinion that such a tour could have — and we believe will have — international repercussions which will do untold damage to other sports, and for this alone, the Rugby Union has a responsibility to all other sports people in New Zealand.

“We also believe that such a tour will have adverse consequences for our position in the British Commonwealth, and for this reason, also, the Rugby Union has grave responsibilities."

The telegram was signed by Mr Harrington, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Hamish Hay), the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr M. E. Foster), the Mayor of Kalapoi (Mr H. W. Cumberland), the Waimalri County chairman (Mr D. B. Rich), and the Heathcote County chairman (Mr W. M. Hindmarsh). No-one from the Paparua County Council attended the meeting. The county chairman (Mr J. Y. Pethig) said that he did not want to become involved in any debate on the issue.

“I wouldn’t have a clue what my councillors’ opinions are,” he said. “My own personal opinion is we’ve got enough to worry about with estimates and rates. This is out of our area of authority.”