Craven sees firm sports links

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 6

Craven sees firm sports links

PA Wellington The president of the South African Rugby Board, Dr Danie Craven, said in Wellington last evening that he was confident that sports ties between South Africa and New Zealand would continue. The links forged between the two countries in 1919 would ensure the future. No formal discussions would be held between his visiting party and the New Zealand Rugby Union because his group did not fully represent the South African board. No plans for future tours could be made during this trip, for the same reason.

But he had had informal discussions with New Zealand rugby officials. “Naturally we. will t discuss it

wherever we go,” he said. The recent Springbok tour had also been discussed but he would, not .give details. South Africans were glad that the tour had proceeded and had been glad when it had finished. Asked about the timing of his visit soon after the divisive tour, Dr Craven replied that it was his right to visit New Zealand whenever he wanted to. He denied reports that he wished to meet leaders of the anti-tour and anti-apart-heid movements in New Zealand. A member of the antiapartheid group, HART, Mr Trevor , said that his organisation did not wish to meet Dr Craven

Mr Richards said: “If he is sincere about starting a dialogue on apartheid he should have it with the South African Rugby' Board before the anti-tour protesters.” Mr Richards led about 50 protesters outside Dr Craven’s hotel. They chanted and waved banners on the footpath for almost' an hour About 25 detectives and uniformed police were positioned throughout the hotel. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) said yesterday that it was a pity Dr Craven was visiting New Zealand. Mr Muldoon said, “I do not know why he is here.” There would be no contact between Dr Craven and the Government during Dr Craven's visit.

Asked if the Government would give Dr Craven any o.‘ its policy on sports contacts with South Africa, Mr Muldoon replied, “I would think Dr Craven is well aware ol the Government's policy. 1 cannot see the point in his coming here.” In Christchurch, about eight demonstrators and an equal number of police were outside Noahs Hotel when Dr Craven left for Christchurch Airport about 10.30 a.m. yesterday. Some of the demonstrators tried to get close to Dr Craven as he walked, smiling, to a waiting car, but they were held back by the police. A number of security guards were also stationed round the hotel. The demonstrators shouted

anti-apartheid slogans as the car moved away. Dr Craven was accompanied to the airport by a prominent Christchurch rugby administrator, Mr R. W. Thomas, who is a member of the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The president of the Canterbury Rugby Union, Mr B. J. Drake, said yesterday that he had not left Noahs Hotel with Dr Craven at 2.30 p.m. on Monday, as was reported in “The Press” yesterday, although he had seen Dr Craven later in the day.

Mr Drake said that the Canterbury union had nothing to do with Dr Craven’s visit.