Springbok tour

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 12

Springbok tour

Sir, — In a democracy such as ours, we are told, every citizen has a voice in government, either directly or through his chosen representative. Like Elsie Locke, I maintain “the right to say no” to the proposed Springbok tour. This is no time for the massive expenditure of public money deemed necessary fqr the maintenance of law and order during such a tour, for the social disruption of the community that t would involve, the exclusion of our other sportsmen from international activities, and the further degradation of our international reputation. Since when has the New Zealand Rugby Union been chosen by me and the majority of my fellow citizens to represent us in making a decision of such national and international importance? Never let it be said that this country is ruled by its Rugby Union. Let our Parliamentary representatives act before it is too late. — Yours, etc., M. A. BRADSHAW. April 29, 1981.

Sir,—Graeme R. Yardley (April 29) writes that the average black wage is around 10 per cent of the white wage. Ail black persons in South Africa are not engaged in menial tasks and it might surprise him to know there are more black millionaires in South Africa than white millionaires in New Zealand. Wages received by many blacks in South Africa are similar in proportion to those paid to natives in the Pacific Islands. In South Africa, as in the Pacific Islands, hunger, malnutrition, disease and an appallingly high infant mortality rate is not the lot of the natives although it quite evidently is in many African countries.—Yours, etc., H. BIRT. April 29, 1981.

Sir,—Whether we like it or not our trade and sporting contacts will be affected by the

attitude of the rugby union. Personally I hate rugby. And yet I will be denied the privilege of watching Kiwi athletes performing overseas because of a selfish whim of the rugby union.—Yours, etc., NOEL McINTOSH. April 28, 1981.

Sir,—G. M. Edmonds (April 28) stones the Springboks on one hand and thanks Christianity on the other. This is the reason Christianity lost its “soul” in the first place and only the test of time, for the time it takes, will prove that God stands for love and truth. Jesus abhorred hypocrisy so why are we picking on the Springboks and singling them out when in love and truth we could well do with setting an example in true Christianity, to ourselves, or is that too close to home for our comfort? The test in time, for the time it takes, applies to us all.—Yours, etc. (Mrs) J. A. LEE. April 29, 1981.