Rugby gifts may have infringed amateurism rules

Press, 20 November 1981, Page 3

Rugby gifts may have infringed amateurism rules

The 18 New Zealand Rugby Union councillors who received gifts of cuff-links from the chairman of the South African Rugby Board, Dr Danie Craven, have, in all probability, infringed the game’s international rules on amateurism. Under these rules administrators are categorised with players in not being allowed •to "receive, either directly or indirectly, any monetary consideration, or any benefit, or material reward" for their contributions to the game. There is also a special provision noting that no person involved in the sport can receive a memento worth more than £ 50 (SNZIIS), although there is a rider that in exceptional cases this limit may be exceeded within reasonable limits. Mr R. W. Thomas, the only Canterbury member of the council, conceded yesterday that the gift might contravene the International Rugby Board’s rules, but he was adamant that these rules were in no w’ay binding on the more expensive necklace which his wife received. “Heaven help anyone who suggests that my wife’s gift was some sort of reward for what she has done for rugby. Surely we have not reached the stage where gifts cannot be given without there having to be an ulterior motive.” said Mr Thomas. Mr Thomas had his cufflinks examined yesterday by a bullion firm and was told that the coin which is the centre-piece of the links is definitely not a Krugerrand, as had been reported. The coin was valued about $7O. Mr Thomas said that he intended to seek further advice on the value of the links and he would respond to any approach made to him by the

Customs Department.-* The chief enforcement officer of the Customs Department, Mr Robin Dare, confirmed yesterday that customs officers had not searched Dr Craven’s luggage, the Press Association reported from Auckland. “We do not normally examine the baggage of all tourists,” he said. Selective judgments had to be made arid a certain percentage of tourists had. their baggage examined. ' • The Customs Department has had the gold cuff-links and gold and diamond necklac'es valued. Mr Dare would not divulge the value of the gifts. ’ ■ But he said that departmental officers w’ould be visiting the councillors asking them to pay duty and sales tax on the gifts. Based on customs valuations, the councillors may find themselves paying up to $6OO each for the gifts. Mr Dare said, “Dr Craven when he arrived as a tourist would ' have been treated under the department’s normal policy for tourists.” He would not, however, have been given any preferential treatment. It was possible that the gifts were brought in either by the Springboks or part of their entourage. It w r as also possible they had come into the country in a diplomatic pouch. Asked if the department would investigate the possibility of gifts being made to those other than Rugby Union councillors. Mr Dare said, “Our inquiries are designed to ensure that all persons who have received the gifts pay duty and sales tax.” The department had not uncovered any evidence to suggest that the gifts had

been brought in as a deliberate attempt to avoid duty and tax. The Commissioner of Police (Mr R. J. Walton) said that he was not aware of any police officer having received the gifts. “The acceptance of a gift is a matter for individual police members but in terms of the Police Regulations, before a member can retain a gratuity. the Commissioner’s approval must be .sought. No application has yet come in,” he said. “The Customs Department is conducting its own investigation and if it has any information that • a police officer received a gift, I would expect it in the first instance to approach the member personally,” he said. “I have no knowledge of any such approach at this stage.” Dr Craven has described the New Zealand Customs ■ investigation into gifts he presented as “a storm in a teacup;” ; Dr '’Craven said it had originally been intended to make the presentations during the controversial Springbok tour which ended in midSeptember. “It was not convenient for me to visit New Zealand during the tour and for this reason the presentations were not made at the time,” Dr Craven said. “We were so appreciative of the w T ay the New Zealand Rugby Union councillors had withstood the (anti-apartheid) pressures to cancel the tour and of the stand they had made for rugby and sport that it was felt I should hand over these gifts personally.” Dr Craven said it was. normal for gifts to be’given to players, rugby administrators, and their wives at the end of a tour.