Don-Stewart clash

Press, 7 December 1985, Page 80

Don-Stewart clash

PA Wellington A clash between two flamboyant councillors — Ron Eton and John (J. J.) Stewart — livened the early stages of yesterday’s meeting. The confrontation came when a letter was tabled from the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Moore, reiterating Government policy on funding for sports organisations which maintained contact with South Africa. Mr Don claimed the letter indicated a policy of selective recrimination and that rugby was being singled out for punishment. He said several sports,

including squash, tennis and yachting, maintained contacts with South Africa but were not similarly deprived of funding. Mr Stewart said Mr Don was “pimping on our mates” by indicating possible ironies in funding. If some sports were able to associate with South Africa and still claim Government assistance, they .had achieved a bureaucratic victory. It was unfair of Mr Don to “dob in” those sports, he said. Mr Don said he had no intention of informing on other codes but merely wished to indicate an apparent inconsistency in policy.