City Council and tour

Press, 10 August 1981, Page 16

City Council and tour

Sir,—How contemptible that the Christchurch City Council would greet the Springboks with the calculated affront of a letter of non-welcome. How pitiable that established churches should associate themselves. I, of Scottish descent, and those from older civilisations, hold dearer than frankness, courtesy and hospitality to any guest. None, remembering the Lady Mayoress of Durban singing by loudhailer from a rain-soaked jetty to welcome troopships in 1942 could forgive such surly nonwelcome. If the Church perpetuates the spirit of sanctuary, charity, tolerance and forgiveness why then be a party to spiteful discourtesy? By what tangle of planning do these fathers of the city deem to speak for all Christchurch so churlishly? Surely wiser counsel to part of our proud city is to be aware that speaking for it entails much more than political opportunism or puerile rudeness.—Yours, etc., GRAHAM B. DOWIE. August 8, 1981.

Sir,—Cr Lester and his fellow Labour councillors must have taken leave of their political senses and are acting like a right proper set of charlies over the Springbok issue. They were elected to run the city efficiently and keep the rates down. Having failed dismally to do the latter, one would think that all their time and energy would be devoted to the task, instead of which they have wasted both in a futile

attempt to stop a test being played. It would be interesting to know how much their consultation with solicitors is costing the ratepayers. There are thousands of pro-tour rugby fans in Christchurch. Many would be Labour supporters; how they will vote in November is anyone’s guess.—Yours, etc..

C. TURNER August 7. 1981.