Govt. M.P.s accept trip to South Africa

Press, 8 February 1983, Page 1

Govt. M.P.s accept trip to South Africa

PA Invercargill Three National members of Parliament will leave for South Africa about the end of this month for a three-week “fact-finding" tour at the invitation of the Republic’s Department of Foreign Affairs. The Invercargill M.P.. Mr N. P. H. Jones, said yesterday he. had been asked by South Africa to make the

trip and if he knew of any other members of Parliament who would be interested in such a visit. As a result, Mr. L. Bell (Gisborne), and Mr T. de V. Hunt (Pakuranga),' will also make the trip. All three will be accompanied by their wives.

“This was too good an opportunity to miss,” Mr Jones said. “I’ll be able to see for myself."

Mr Jones was reluctant to give dates, but said the party would be leaving late this month and would be away for most of March. ' Asked why he thought he had been invited, Mr Jones said Mr Hunt and he were the only members of Parlia-

ment to meet Springbok players and attend matches during the 1981 Springbok tour. “I made known my views; that it’s better to build bridges,” Mr Jones said. “I fought alongside South Africans in World War II and I w’ould like to see that country.”

Mr Jones said he would go with ah open mind. “Nami-

bia. Soweto ... they said we can go anywhere we want to go" Asked if. he thought the South Africans would try to give him a “whitewashed" tour. Mr Jones said: “I’m not the sort of guy who will get whitewashed. I did not come down in the last shower. I don't see how I can get whitewashed.”

Two years ago he had spent 14 days in Bulgaria. “They did their best to whitewash me but it didn't work,” he said. Mr Jones said he had applied for leave from Parliament and it had been granted. He was not concerned about the possible

reaction of his Parliamentary colleagues. “Most of them would be envious,” Mr Jones said.

"The only reason I'm in Parliament with a majority of 1590 votes when I had a majority of 250 in 1978 is because’ of the Springbok tour. I believe we should maintain sporting contacts: After all we trade with the South Africans."

The three members of Parliament will be told that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Cooper, opposes their trip. A spokesman for Mr Cooper said yesterday the Minister did not agree with the trip and would convey that message to the trio.