Mr Blazey calls for restraint

Press, 21 May 1985, Page 44

Mr Blazey calls for restraint

PA Wellington The New Zealand Rugby Union has told supporters not to provoke protesters or prevent them expressing lawful opposition to the All Black tour of South Africa. The N2.R.F.U. chairman, Mr Ces Blazey, issued the directive in a circular to unions posted last week. He says rugby supporters should not do anything to prevent people exercising their democratic rights. Further, he says:

“We should not indulge in provocative actions against people exercising such rights. “We need to exercise restraint at all times. This includes not reacting to provocation. “We should not initiate provocative actions and make the task of the police in impartially maintaining law and order more difficult.”

His comments follow accusations from protest groups about rugby fans

provoking confrontions at demonstrations against the controversial tour starting in July. Mr Blazey introduces the circular, headed “Important Notice,” by pointing out that people have a fundamental right to express their opposition in a lawful way.

"In any situation in which feelings are running high, it is almost inevitable that feelings of frustration will arise, but restraint must be exercised, irrespective of our personal views,” he adds.

Mr Blazey observes that there is nothing new in the views as expressed in the circular ... “but they may not be known or appreciated by all our supporters.”