Network ‘not a front’

Press, 14 May 1981, Page 3

Network ‘not a front’

PA Wellington The International Christian Network had never made any comment about the Springbok tour, said its deputy chairman, the Rev. Matthew Calder, yesterday. -.“lndeed. I was invited’to address a university forum and to appear on television to speak in support of the tour, but when those who invited me discovered that I was not especially pro-tour, the invitations were withdrawn,” he said. The Anglican vicar made these comments in reply to charges that the network — an organiation established in London in 1978 to uphold “traditional Christianity” — is a front for South African propaganda. “Up to now I have been mildly anti-tour, mainly because as a taxpayer I did not want to shell out funds for the extra police protection the tour entails,” Mr Calder said. But since he had seen the . techniques used by some of those against the tour he was no longer opposed to it. What was happening about the tour had nothing to do with rugby and little to do with apartheid, he said. It was all part of a behind-the-scenes movement to isolate . South Africa in preparation ■ for a communist takeover. ; He had no strong feelings j either way about the tour j and was not a fan of inter-1 national rugby. The invitation to speak at Victoria University had been made by telephone about six weeks ago, and he had been approached by someone from the “Eye Witness” television programme three weeks ago. Mr Calder said that last

Friday Mr M. Smith, the director of the Inner City Mission an interdenominational social-work agency, was reported as saying that the network had become active on the tour because it was a front organisation. “Mr Smith’s allegation implies that the International Christian Network is funded by the South African Government.” Mr Calder said. “The truth is that our audited accounts cover every cent of income and expenditure, and show that our biggest individual subscription in New Zealand has been $2OO. Our headquarters in England is struggling for funds, following blatant attacks by shrewd propagandists.” Mr Calder said that the campaign against the network was spearheaded by a book published in London called "Beyond the Pale — the Christian Political Fringe,” by Derrick Knight. The book, he said, described the network as a “racist, fanatically anti-com-munist Christian underworld backed by apartheid South Africa.” It had received a “rave review” from the World Council of Churches paper, “One World.” What was less well known was that the book had been withdrawn from sale because two other organisations had threatened legal action allegs ing factual inaccuracies, Mr Calder said. He said that the present furore arose after he had done a radio interview in April. This had resulted in a flood of telephone calls and letters. “Never have I had such resounding support,” he said.