RUGBY FOOTBALL COLOUR BAR OPPOSED BY LABOUR

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1948, Page 6

RUGBY FOOTBALL COLOUR BAR OPPOSED BY LABOUR

Federation’s Resolution : -lir tun P.A. WELLINGTON, September 6. Resolutions on the exclusion of Maoris from the All Black team for South Africa next year having been received from the Southland Trades Council and the Ne wZealand Waterside Workers’ Union, a meeting of the National Executive of the Federation of Labour discussed the issue. The following resolution was adopted:' “Being opposed to racial discrimination, the. Federation of • Labour deplores the position .which has arisen in regard to the proposed visit to South Africa, and is of opinion that no organisation can be truly representative of New Zealand which excludes any individual on racial grounds. It should be made quite clear to the South African Rugby Football Union that the team to visit South Africa is not representative of New-Zealand.”

MAORI MEETINGS DISCUSS EXCLUSION

WELLINGTON, Sept 6. Maoris throughout New Zealand were deeply grateful to Major-Gen-eral Sir Howard Kippenberger for his attitude regarding the exclusion of Maoris from the All Blacks for South Africa, said Mr W. R. Bennett, of - Wanganui, at 'a representative gathering of West Coast tribes held yesterday at Aorangi, near Fielding. “Because of his intimate association with the Maori Battalion,” Mr Bennett added, “no man is better qualified to speak than General Kippenberger.” It was decided that the Rev. Manu Bennett, as convenor of the Aorangi meeting, should send a letter to General Kippengerger. Sir Apirani Ngata, after referring to the serious international implication of raising the colour issue, remarked that it was significant that, the politicians had hitherto left the Rugby Union’s decisions severely alone. Perhaps, he could not understand the union, because, he said, the members of the Maori Battalion, when calling at South Africa, had enjoyed precisely the same hospitality as other New Zealand troops, and there had never been any suggestion of colour discrimination. He suggested that when the New Zealand team visited South Africa its members should make inquiries and ascertain the true position. At a largely attended meeting of representatives of the Ngata Kahungungu Tribe at Wairoa, yesterday the ’tribe, which totals 15,000 members, unanimously decided to write to General Kippenberger, thanking him for his expression in support of the Maori race in connection with the selection of the All Blacks and also expressing appreciation of the kindly interest he has displayed in the welfare of the race. During thq course of the discussion a suggestion was made that members chosen for the team to visit South Africa should refuse to make the trip, unless the side included Maoris worthy of selection, and, if this were done, it would be sincere expression of loyalty towards the Maoris.

South Africans Resent Kippenberger’s Talk

CAPE TOWN, Sept. a. Mr H. J. Constable, honorary agent for New Zealand in South Africa, has cabled the New Zealand Rugby Union as ( follows:—,- “Consider Major-General Sir Howard Kippenberger’s statements regarding Afrikanders unfortunate, injudicious, and entirely unwarranted in the light of conditions here and likely to create ill-feeling on the tour. There are unfavourable repercussions of opinion, especially among New Zealanders in South Africa.” The remarks to which exception was taken, concluded with these words: “I had the Maoris under my command for two years, and in that time they had 1500 casualties, and I am not ‘going to acquiesce in any dammed Afrikanders saying they cannot go. To hell with them.” WELLINGTON, Sept.o. General Kippenberger, in an interview, said some people had apparently gained the wrong impression from his reference to the New Zealand Rugby Union. He Had not criticised the union’s action as he considered that that body had done nothing more than show a realistic appreciation of the position arising from the racial discrimination in South Africa. “1 was speaking,” he said, “to an informal gathering of returned servicemen and my remarks were entirely unpremeditated.” AUCKLAND, Sept. 6. The matter of the exclusion of the Maoris from the All Black team sor South Africa would be discussed at a council meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union in Wellington on September 30, said the chairman (Mr A. St. Belcher).

Ex-Coaster Bans Maoris From Auckland Hotel AUCKLAND, Sept. 6. Because of the behaviour of some of them, all Maoris and islanaers were banned from the bars of me Thistle Hotel, Queen Street, last week. The manager, Mr Jack Hinton, V.C., formerly of Greymouth, lifted the ban on Saturday, following assurances that there would be no repetition. On Saturday week the black maria took about 10 persons to the police station after alleged incidents of brawling, shoving, spilling beer and breaking glasses. Mr Hinton to-day disclaimed racial differentiation, and said he had Maoris on his staff. Judging by the general behavioui on Saturday, he added, the week’s ban had had a good result. , A leader in Maori welfare work told a reporter to-day that Maori people were anxious to co-operate with the police in checking disorderly behaviour in hotels.

Fijian Tour May Not Eventuate

P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. Because of the difficulty regarding ’plane accommodation, it was most likely that the tour by the Fijian rugby team, late this month pnd during October, would have to be cancelled. This was announced by the Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr. A. St. C. Belcher, at a meeting of the Executive to-day. He had discussed the matter with officials of the Auckland Union during the week-end. Alternative proposals were under consideration. Correspondence relating to the exclusion of Maoris from the All Black team to tour South Africa next year was held over for consideration at a

meeting of the Council of the N.Z. Rugby Union set down for October 1. RANrURLY SHIELD DUNEDIN. Sept. 6 The following will represent ■ Otago in the Ranfurly Shield match against South Canterbury at Carisbrook on Wednesday:— Full-back. R. Orr; three-quarters, I. J. Botting, R. R. Elvidge (captain), W. A. Meat.es; five eighths, J. C. Kearney, L. S. Haig; half-back: L. S. Woodhouse: front row, P. Johnstone, N. Wilson, R. A. Dalton; middle row, A. E. Hellyer, C. W. Willocks, K. L. Skinner, J. R. McNab; back row, K. J. O’Connor. Reserves: Backs, B. Haig. C-. J. McDonald, G. J. Moore; forwards, A. H. Foster, H. Wilson. L. R. Harvey and D. H. Hamilton were not available because of injury. The following is the South Canterbury team: —J. Goddard; J. Taylor, M. P. Goddard, R. Prattley, J. Fraser, T. Doherty, •A. R. Moore, J. Coulter, A. H. Direen, P. Fitzgerald, L. A. Grant, S. Grant, J. Bryce, N. Hobbs, C. Chamberlain. I. Patterson. Emergencies: J. O’Brien, H. Fairbrother, G. O’Hara, N. Harrington, B. Fitzgerald, D, O’Reilly. An extra back is included because the full-back, J. Goddard, may not be available.

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept 4. The following is the Canterbury Rugby Union’s senior B team to, play September 11: — r 1 J. Smither (Albion); Macbeth (Christchurch), Carter (University); J. Prebble (Albion); Greatorex (Tech O.B.); Gair (University); B. C'. Columbus (H. 5.0.8. E. Cummings (Marist); B. Hopping (Albion); D. Hayward (H. 5.0.8. Baron (University) ; B. Couling (Linwood); G. Hooper (H. 5.0.8. R. Wilson (Sydenham); H. Ayson (Sydenham); Emergencies: K. Logan (Christchurch), Sampson (Tech O.B.); A. Condon (Albion), Lingard (Tech O.B.). North Otago beat South Canterbury at Oamaru on Saturday by 3 points (a penalty goal by R. J. P. Halverson) to nil, and thus, for the first time took the Hanan Shield from South Canterbury.. AUCKLAND, September 4. Discussing the protests by MajorGeneral Sir Howard Kippenberger and others against the exclusion of Maoris from the All Black team for South Africa, the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr A. St. C. Belcher) said in Auckland that the whole matter would be discussed at the meeting of the council of the New Zealand Rugby Union in Wellington on September 30. A full statement would no doubt be made then, he said.

Wataroa Easily Beat Kiwis On Saturday the Wataroa team met Kiwis in a fast and entertaining game in which the ball was thrown around Horn any position. Wataroa won by 25 poifits to 3. The Wataroa team fielded a fast light pack which excelled in foot rushes and fast following up, and, in comparison the Kiwis seemed sluggish. Two exceptions were P. and R. Eastgate who unfortunately lacked supoort. A good trio lor Wataroa were T. Nmey who is well into tne veteran stage, R. Nolan, whose ball control was excellent and J. Curtain, who was outstanding in line-out piay. un« typical dash brought him a try after bursting from the line-out.. The Wataroa backs were always enterprising and turned on several excellent movements, in which both wing three-quarters figured prominently. S. Nolan was always dangerous when in possession. Tries for Wataroa were scored by S. Nolan (2) with two conversions, R. Nolan (2), J. Curtain and A. Weenink. T. Nolan kicked a penalty goal making tne total of 25 points, For Kiwis P. Eastgate kicked a penalty, goal.

FOUR COASTERS IN RAILWAY RUGBY TEAM

P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept. 6 The following railway teams have been selected for the North v. South Island match to be played at Napier on September 18: — North Island: D. Hickey (Auckland), J. J. Haultain (Wellington), L. Miller (Wanganui), B. Smith (Wairoa), R. Friar (Waipukurau), M. Hihira (Marton), C. Tamati (Marton), W. Clarke (Wanganui),. J. Thomas (Taihape), T. Heywood (Auckland), A. Renata (Wairoa), G. Brew. (Takapau), W. Shadbolt (Auckland), R. Beatty (Taihape), F. Greene (Frankton). Reserves: Backs, J. Flescher (Te Kuiti)-, F. Radovanovich (Taumarunui); forwards, J. Manuel (Wai roa), G. Stevens (Waitara). South Island:—C. Bradley (Canter-‘ bury), TI. Kohi (Canterbury), N. Rayfield (Canterbury), G. Barbara .(Otago), D. Dewar (West Coast), L. Lawrence (Otago), L. Gunn (Otago), N. Mannings (Southland), W. Muir (Southland). A. Murphy (Otago), G. Turner (Southland), W. Muirhead (Southland), H. Budd (Southland), R Thompson (West Coast), A. Stevens (Otago). Reserves: Backs, K. Horrack (West Coast), S. McNickle (Southland): forwards, H. Mettrick (West Coast), G. Leggett (Canterbury). The teams were selected following trial matches at Taihape and Christchurch. ; ;