Conciliator agrees not to coach

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 6

Conciliator agrees not to coach

in Wellington The Race Relations Conciliator. Mr Hiwi Tauroa, had agreed to a Government directive that he should not coach rugby in South Africa, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) yesterday. Mr Muldoon said it was reported to the Cabinet yesterday that Mr Tauroa had left for South'Africa. Mr Tauroa had an invitation to coach rugby in South Africa, but Mr Muldoon said he had- been told by. the Government and the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay) that this was something ‘we would not want him to do" under the Gleneagles Agreement. “He accepted that advice and he is not going to coach rugby,” Mr Muldoon said. Mr Tauroa was going to South Africa as a visitor. "Although the Government

would perhaps rather he did not go. his visit from that point becomes no different from that of other - New Zealand visitors.” Mr Muldoon said he had no doubt that Mr Tauroa would be wearing his "race relations hat” in South Africa rather than his rugby hat. He described the visit as a private one and said that the Government would not expect an ’official report from Mr Tauroa. Mr Muldoon said, however, that Mr Tauroa was bound to talk with Mr McLay. “He is going on the basis that he is going to see what he asks to see, that he is going to be permitted to say whatever he feels like saying, both there and when he comes back.” ; Mr Muldoon said he had come to know Mr Tauroa well since he had taken up the race relations post.

“I have total faith in his integrity,” Mr Muldoon said. .Mr Muldoon said he saw no great damage being done by Mr Tauroa’s visit, "no more than I see damage being done by a Labour backbencher going.” “He is not in breach of the Gleneagles Agreement — that is the important thing — nor is the Government,'' Mr Muldoon said.