Springbok tour

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 12

Springbok tour

Sir,—ln response to, and in support of F. B. Campbell’s letter (May 26), I too was in Australia in April and whilst in Sydney heard sports announcers mention the four South Africans.at that time competing in surf competitions in Australia. Various Australian notables have publicly expressed their disapproval of the proposed Springbok tour of New Zealand. They speak with forked tongues. Their attitudes appear to be those of expediency and not those of principle. To whom do they pay lip service?—Yours, etc., J. ROSS. Hokitika, May 28, 1981.

Sir,—lf the tour proceeds and the Third World countries are not bluffing, New Zealand could face a long period of sporting isolation affecting our soccer team in Spain, athletes in Brisbane, cricket in the West Indies and even rugby in Rumania and France plus others which might hop on the

bandwaggon against New Zealand. An angry public will take it out on both the Rugby Union and Government. When this happens it will not be any use bleating that we have been unfairly treated. — Yours, etc., V. F. WILKINSON. May 27, 1981.

Sir,—lf the writer of the letter above the name B. Roberts (May 28) really believes that “our law specifically forbids discrimination,” and “An individual here, unlike one under South African law may associate or play with whom he likes,” let her attempt to qualify for the Maori rugby team to play Wales or let her attempt to vote in a Maori seat for Parliament. — Yours, etc., D. McLEOD. May 28, 1981.

Sir,—l agree entirely with E. Mulcock’s sentiments (May 28) regarding the passing of judgment on others. In opposing apartheid, I am opposing a system which passes judgment on 20 million people every day of their lives. It judges them Incapable or unready to vote. It judges them ineligible to live in 87 per cent of South Africa unless they have been given special permits. It judges Bishop Desmond Tutu as not eligible for a passport because he opposes’ the oppression he sees every day. And it, in common with E. Mulcock (May 23) judges anyone who opposes apartheid or the tour to be communist. — Yours, etc., JOHN EDMUNDSON. May 28, 1981.