‘Corso’s actions not damaging to N.Z.’

Press, 30 May 1981, Page 6

‘Corso’s actions not damaging to N.Z.’

“No action of Corso has damaged New Zealand’s reputation: it is the ineffectiveness of the Government that is causing the harm,” said the chairman of Corso. Mr John L’Estrange, yesterday. He was replying to a comment by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) that Corso in a letter to the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid “advocated courses of action that would be damaging to New Zealand's name and reputation.” The letter was written by the national secretary of Corso, Mr Toby Trueil, to Ambassador Clarke, chairman? of the United Nations committee, and dealt with the Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand, said Mr Muldoon. .. ,

Mr Trueil had suggested that there were “a couple of Achilles heels which might be effective levers, especially in relation to the current Prime Minister's position. “One is the forthcoming Finance Ministers' conference. Some official expression of possible boycott, or exclusions to that confer- ' ence. might well be effective. The other is the whole future of New Zealand's position and regard within the Commonwealth,” Mr Trueil told Ambassador Clarke, according to Mr Muldoon’s statement. Mr L’Estrange said Corso had an international reputation as a New Zealand aid agency and it had no, wish to

see New Zealand's reputation damaged. He did not know why Mr Muldoon was making a fuss. Corso’s policy of working for justice had been consistent for 36 years. “People have a say in their own destiny, and this holds true for the majority of people in South Africa,” he - said. Corso was opposed to apartheid and therefore against the Springbok tour, which condoned that unjust system. Part of Corso's work was educational; said Mr L’Estrange. The letter written byMr Trueil was part of that thrust to change the attitudes of some New Zealanders by asking influential people overseas to help.