Anti-tour marchers matched by pro-tour rally

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 3

Anti-tour marchers matched by pro-tour rally

Greymouth reporter

A lunch-time march by anti-apartheid protesters in Greymouth yesterday was matched by a pro-tour rally which grew as it progressed.' About 110 protesters began a march from the fountain in front of the Greymouth Borough Council chambers at 12.15 p.m. along Tainui Street into Mawhera Quay to the Kings Motor Hotel where the Springboks are staying. The were headed by' a Ministry of Transport car, and accompanied by a handful of policemen. Behind them was a police van. and behind that was a growing crowd of pro-tour supporters, carrying placards saying: “West Coasters play sport, not politics,” and “Welcome to the Springboks.” The lunch-hour footpaths in Greymouth were filled with onlookers, and many rushed to join the pro-tour group as it passed, chanting “We want rugby.” In Mawhera Quay, the anti-tour group stood silently. while their representatives went into the hotel and delivered a protest letter to Mr Alex McDonald, the New Zealand secretary for the Springbok tour, who was ac-

companied by the Rugby Union’s liaison officer. Mr Bob Stuart. Outside the hotel, one of the anti-tour leaders, the Rev. P. J. Kennedy, announced: “We are here to protest against apartheid in South Africa which has as its victims 23 million South Africans." His words were drowned out by the big pro-tour group which gathered above on the waterfront ' embankment, chanting the word. “Springboks,” letter by letter. The caller was. ironically, not a rugby union follower, but a rugby league player-coach. None of the Springbok team was in sight, but the team management saw the arrival of the marchers from their room high in the tower block of the hotel.

The protesters, who had been told by Father Kennedy at the start of the march, “Keep a smile on your faces,” marched away after the letter was delivered.

The pro-tour group stayed a little longer, continuing its chants, with one calling out. "Springboks, stay as long as you want."

It began to rain in Greymouth soon after, but this did

not stop the Springboks going for a training run at Nimmo Park, the headquarters of the Cobden Rugby Club. Today, the team will go to Hokitika, visiting the greenstone factories and the glassblowing plant. The players will train at Cass Square, Hokitika, at 2,30 p.m. and

there will be a barbecue for them at the St Mary's Rugby Club rooms afterwards.

The escorting Red Squad police wenf for their "usual Bkm run yesterday morning, then some went to squash, others to golf, and finished at the hotel sauna.

About 130 people attended a "reflective hour" in St Patrick's Church, Greymouth. on Monday evening. The parish priest (The Rev. M. At O'Malley) said that they prayed “on behalf of the victims of apartheid and for reconciliation within the community."

The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, the Most Rev. B. P. Ashby, who is against the Springbok tour, flew to Hokitika on Monday for confirmation services there last evening. Coincidentally, one of his fellow passengers was the replacement Springbok half-back. Gawie Visagie.