Concern At Rugby Tour

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30977, 5 February 1966, Page 16

Concern At Rugby Tour

f.V.Z. Frets Association) WELLINGTON. February 4.

New Zealand’s political leaders had learnt a lot since the 1960 Rugby tour of South Africa, the chairman of the Citizens’ All Black Tour Association. Mr R. O’Regan, said in Wellington today.

He was commenting on yesterday's statement bythe Prime Minister. Mr HolyOMe that New Zealand could not represented by a group chosen on racial ' l " es pndorse "One cannot but endor . Mr Holyoake’s s t ut 5 h n the Government should n interfere in of snort,” said Mr O Regan.

“At the same time, one must also agree that the Government is acting within its proper province in clearly stating the principles of race relations which are fundamental to New Zealand’s way of life. “Unfortunately, this proper role of the Government was not appreciated in 1960. Our political leaders have obviously learnt a lot since then.” Mr O’Regan, commenting on the reception by the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr T. C. Morrison, to Mr Holyoake’s stateiment, sad he was a little concerned by Mr Morrison’s i views. Personal View

1 Mr Morrison said it w’as his personal view that the New Zealand Rugby Union would not again give full New Zealand status to any team unless all players good enough were eligible for selection. “The question is not

whether a team to visit South Africa would have full representative status,” Mr O’Regan said. “The implication of Mr Morrison’s statement is that the Rugby Union would send and all-white team if it could, but merely not call it an All Black side.” “Subterfuge” (“This sort of subterfuge is to be strongly condemned,” Mr O’Regan said. “It would be good to hear that the Rugby Union is not considering such a shabby method of getting round a problem which they are reluctant to face squarely as good sportsmen should.” Replying to Mr O’Regan, Mr Morrison said: “It is well known that the New Zealand Rugby Football ’ Union Council will, on February 25, deal with the invitation received from the South African Rugby Board, and a statement will be issued then.”