Rugby tour

Press, 8 May 1986, Page 12

Rugby tour

Sir,—We have seen an example of State control of the media with the recent nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. Is this the direction we are heading in, in New Zealand with the refusal of Television New Zealand to give full coverage of the Cavaliers’ games in South Africa? If it is the opinion of Mr Hugh Rennie that not enough people will watch the games, I suggest that Television New Zealand does some market research. Any private company would base its decisions on the commercial value and not the political value of showing these games.—Yours, etc.,

B. J. KEENAN. May 4, 1986.

Sir, —In reply to Sue Hunt (May 5), I have seen television film, as taken at funerals, but I may have missed the screening of the demonstrations she mentioned. In the past, some pro-tour persons have written that black South African people support such tours. If there have been demonstrations at those games, so what? It is over to black South Africans if they wish to demonstrate, whether it be against the injustices of apartheid, or against sports tours. The anti-apartheid movement in New Zealand y

(whose assistance was requested by black South Africans) seeks advice from them occasionally to ensure that the strategy of the anti-apartheid movement here is in keeping with the wishes of black people. The message comes back, loud and clear, not to be hoodwinked into lessening the struggle against the injustices of apartheid. — Yours, etc., KENNETH EBER MARTIN. May 6, 1986.

Sir,—A former All Black, lan Hurst, summed up the approach to playing rugby in South Africa when he said that, while he did not agree with the apartheid system, if he were offered $lOO,OOO to play he would. When the Auckland lawyers gained an injunction and stopped last year’s tour by the All Blacks they made a fatal mistake. The attitude to Hart has hardened. The Auckland legal eagles have successfully promoted professionalism and this is just the beginning of many tours with the participation of the great rugby-playing countries. The Left-wing media has denied us a commentary when screening highlights on television. Apparently the tour is not in the public interest. That is a political statement by those whose duty should be the free and unrestricted dissemination of news. — Yours, etc.,

L. J. STEVENS. Oamaru, May 2, 1986.