Conner interview

Press, 6 April 1989, Page 20

Conner interview

Sir, —I have just viewed the exhibition on television by Paul Holmes. His manner in subjecting Dennis Conner to rude questions has left me wondering if he is actually representing New Zealand views. Dennis Conner replied to close interrogation of his misdeeds after the America’s Cup contest and accepted that he may have been carried away after that event. Surely we New Zealanders will accept that without him being placed before a judge as Holmes tried to attempt. Good luck to Dennis Conner for walking away from such an insulting attack. — Yours, etc.,

HAROLD BAYLIS. April 3, 1989.

Sir,—lt was with complete disgust that I sat through the interview on the Holmes show. This self-opinionated, rude, interviewer set out to be as objectionable and smart as he possibly could. Congratulations to Dennis Conner, who kept his cool and quietly got up and walked out before he could be abused further. We do not need this type of interviewer. — Yours, etc., M. BRYDON. April 3, 1989.

Sir, —I was totally ashamed of a disgraceful display of poor interviewing when Holmes did his best to belittle Conner in front of the whole of New Zealand. Conner was endeavouring to be polite and sportsmanlike under gross, deliberate provocation by Holmes. The line of questioning was not only in very bad taste but ludicrous. I was very ashamed and wish an apology be passed to Conner on behalf of my family. I will be surprised if thousands of Kiwis did not or do not respond in a similar way. If anybody should apologise it should be Holmes to Conner. That interview, if released world-wide, will do more harm to New Zealand’s image T

than any victory. We do not need under-arm comments or a below-the-belt kind of international reputation. — Yours, etc., ROBT FROST. April 3, 1989.

[J. B. Russel, Ms K. Mora, David H. Robbins, and H. Barclay have written in similar vein;] „

Sir,—Really sad to watch was the pathetic ego trip of Mr Holmes as he tried to pull off his smart act by debasing himself and TVNZ in his ill-mannered interview with the America’s Cup loser, Dennis Conner. To stoop to such unmanly, foul questioning of Conner, who owned up to his mistakes and courteously answered his questions without taking offence, clearly indicates the low of low standards that TVNZ has chosen to take us into the 19905. By any reasonable standard of decency, TVNZ, on behalf of the people it represents, should require his public apology, or else his resignation. — Yours, etc., DON WILLIAMS. April 4,1989.

Sir,—After viewing the interview of Dennis Conner I hope it will be the last time we have to endure this arrogant, unrepentant cheat of a so-called sportsman. He certainly is no ambassador for his country. He had a golden opportunity to apologise to the New Zealand public, and in particular Bruce Farr, for his unsportsmanlike and disgraceful behaviour, as was shown in the news clip of the exchange of pleasantries by the two after the America’s Cup had been won by Conner. His example of sportsmanship is one our young should not have to witness. — Yours, etc.,

G. D. NORRIS. April 3,1989.

Sir,—Well, Michael Fay has won the Cup and things are looking up. Dennis Conner appeared quite graceless and his remarks were tasteless. Perhaps he has gone to rewrite his biography. When gently urged for an apology, he bolted for the door. — Yours, etc., B. A. HERRICK. April 3,1989.