Mayor of Nelson supported

Press, 25 August 1981, Page 3

Mayor of Nelson supported

PA Nelson The Mayor of Nelson, Mr P. H. Malone, says he has received more support than opposition to his welcome of the Springbok team. His decision to give the visitors a mayoral reception last Friday caused an uproar at last week’s Nelson City Council meeting, but messages of support poured in all week-end.

Mr Malone yesterday morning counted about 140 telegrams and letters in support of his stand and only nine against. They came from all over New Zealand. In addition, his telephone had been ringing constantly

and dgain. most callers congratulated him on his action. “It is most encouraging. There have been so few against, it is not funny.” he said. " Mr Malone said he “felt good” about Nelson and the way the public responded to Saturday’s match. Most of those who wished to protest had done so responsibly, he said.' and the majority of arrests were of "imported” demonstrators. "If the anti-tour people think the day was a victory for the protest movement, I believe it was to the contrary.” he said. “There were 5000" to 6000 people at the match."

But Mr Malone said he was “bitterly disappointed” about‘two incidents in particular — the anti-tour banners hanging on the tower of Nelson Cathedral, and the abuse members of the Springbok team suffered when they went shopping on Friday afternoon. “Some locals." he said “ranted and raved and called them all sorts of names. I was absolutely disgusted with them.” ■ Mr Malone congratulated the police on their “magnificent” handling of what he termed several provocative incidents. As for the match. Mr

Malone said he was not worried about the 83-0 score. Nelson Bays had played 80 minutes of rugby they could be proud of and the match had given Nelson people a chance to see international players. Mr Malone said he hoped the community could now settle down and return to normal, although New Zealand would never be the same after the tour. “Once you get selective morality like this and protest leading to action which is an excuse for violence, things can never be the same." he said.