Tour decision delay

Press, 2 April 1985, Page 16

Tour decision delay

Sir, — Surely there is not much about Mr Lange’s letter, or the intention of it and the meeting he had with the New Zealand Rugby Union, that could seriously require further clarification. The action of the union to defer the tour decision is both arrogant and irresponsible. — Yours, etc., K. P. GABARA. Irwell, March 30, 1985.

Sir, — David Lange’s rise to fame following his anti-A.N.Z.U.S. stand appears to have gone to his head, with his pandering to the black African countries for support in his campaign against the All Blacks and with his ultimatum that they must not play in South Africa in order to keep him on side with the black Africans and troubleseekers at home. A similar situation came about in Britain when Harold Wilson, the Labour Prime Minister, opened the flood gates to the coloured races to ensure their votes in the 1964 election which was followed with preferential treatment in housing and other areas. Harold Macmillan, with his wind of change policy, also overlooked the rights of his own countrymen, while Mrs Thatcher has also favoured the black Africans at the expense of her own kith and kin; and the one-time British Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, is proof of that. — Yours, etc., L. WESTNEY. March 31, 1985.

Sir, — Mr Lange has finally revealed his dictatorial aspirations. Not content with strongly advising the New Zealand Rugby Union not to tour South Africa, he has gone one better and “commanded” the union to decline the invitation. I thought we lived in a democracy. I thought it was up to the rugby union to decide their own morality. Unfortunately it appears that individuals in New Zealand are going to be compelled to do the dirty work of a gutless Administration which on the one hand condemns rugby players who play against South Africa and on the other allows South African wines to be imported into New Zealand. Obviously this Government is not only guilty of selective morality but pocket-book morality as well. And it calls, the rugby union immoral. — Yours, etc., JOHN CHAMBERS. March 31, 1985.