Rugby tour

Press, 7 May 1986, Page 20

Rugby tour

Sir, — My salute and admiration to the rebel rugby players for not giving in to the intimidation and bullying of the noisy few with tunnel-vision intellect and for their courageous stand in the face of political and bureaucratic blackmail. Like Afghanistan freedom fighters who risk their lives, they are also risking something as precious to them — their career in rugby — for the right to play whom and where they wish. Some people value freedom of their thoughts and ac-.

tions less than their career and their positions and buckle under pressure. Others will do anything to gain favourable publicity. On the bottom rung are those of sheep mentality who would do anything for the sake of peace. Democracy without personal freedom is nothing and no amount of hypocritical, one-eyed self-righteous morality will alter that fact. — Yours, etc., L. A. GILICH, Titirangi, May 3, 1986.

Sir, — The National Organisation for Women, witnessing the changing decisions about televising the rebel rugby tour, compares the decision to regard as newsworthy the activities of representatives of less than one half of the population (rugby and South African supporters) with the decision last year to regard as unnewsworthy the activities of more than one half of the population, both of New Zealand and the world (women) at the Nairobi End-of-Decade for Women Conference. The New Zealand delegation to Nairobi actually made tremendous impact and the legal decision to call off the tour made news there. No New Zealand television team was sent to Nairobi, New Zealanders saw some small Australian coverage, and also later interviews with two disapproving women, unrepresentative of the wide-ranging women’s organisations covered at the conference. Women’s inequality in decisionmaking positions is reflected in unequal television funding. — Yours, etc, BETTY ROBERTS, co-ordinator, N.O.W. Christchurch. May 4, 1986.