Law and order

Press, 23 October 1984, Page 12

Law and order

Sir,—l write in response to an article in your newspaper of October 20 concerning the proposed All Black tour of South Africa in 1985. In my opinion tne comments made by the secretary of the Police Association, Dr Moodie, on the effect of the proposed tour on the lives and families of Police Force members are both pertinent and relevant. Further, I believe that any comments made by Dr Moodie on behalf of his association have absolutely nothing to do with Mr Couch, who is no longer the Minister of Police, or of anything for that matter. — Yours, etc., T. J. BEAN. October 20, 1984. Sir,—Rugby is a fine game for young men and boys and has probably done as much for race relations in New Zealand as any social activity, but the situation in

South Africa does not make for bridge-building, fn fact tour supEorters have moved from the ridge-building argument to “no politics in sport.” As an ideal this must give way to the moral judgment on South Africa as expressed in' the Gleneagles Agreement. Even more important, the tour would damage New Zealand’s moral standing in the world which is particularly high at the moment. Much is being made of the Government’s obligation to uphold the law against disruption by opponents of the tour, but the Government also feels itself obliged to .uphold the Gleneagles Agreement. Even if entered into by the previous (Muldoon) Administration it was done freely and on New Zealand’s behalf. — Yours, etc., VERNON WILKINSON. October 19, 1984.