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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 21. August 28 1978

For the record — Recent Misleading and Inaccurate Government Statements

page 4

For the record

Recent Misleading and Inaccurate Government Statements

1. In a letter dated 15 June 1978 sent by the Prime Minister to a supporter of the anti-apartheid movement, Mr Muldoon stated that 'on 15 June 1977 the New Zealand Parliament unanimously endorsed the Gleneagles Agreement'.

This is untrue. This is born out by a close reading of Hansard and by comments made earlier this year by the MP for Hastings, Robert Fenton, who said that he would have forced a division in Parliament if the Deputy Prime Minister had sought to lebate Notices of Motion which called upon Parliament to endorse the Agreement.

2. In a letter dated 14 July written by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr L. Adams-Schneider) to Mr I.K. Baxter, the Acting Minister stated: 'I must contest your assertion that since the Gleneagles Agreement there have been fifteen different sporting contacts with South Africa. To the best of my knowledge there have been five such contacts, none of which have involved a national team in a major sport.'

This statement is totally inaccurate. Hart is aware of at least twenty contacts which have taken place in breach of the Gleneagles Agreement. Hart has sought to advise the Government in advance wherever possible of sporting contacts which will involve New Zealand and South Africa. It is difficult, if not impossible, to know how it is possible for the Acting Minister to assert that there have only been five contacts when Hart has drawn the attention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to many more than five contacts.

3. In a letter dated 20 June written by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mr Gerald Davidson, the Acting Minister said: "I would contest your statement that many more contacts with South Africa are planned. To my knowledge this is not so."

Hart has advised the Minister of six contacts involving New Zealand and South Africa scheduled to take place between September and December. This list does not include any contacts between professional sportsmen, which are reaching epidemic level.

To people genuinely concerned about the effect of sporting relations with South Africa, this definitely constitutes 'many more' contracts.

Hart considers that the above clearly establishes that there is a very considerable difference between the actual situation, and the situation as it is being represented by Government Ministers.

NZ—SA Sporting Contacts: June 1977 - July 1978

June 1977 NZ and SA compete in Federation Cup (Tennis)
July 1977 NZ and SA compete in World ¼ Ton Yacht Championships *
August 1977 Seven NZ rugby players compete in SA
August 1977 NZ and SA compete in World Golf Classic
August 1977 NZ and SA compete in World Youth Sailing Champs
October 1977 NZ and SA compete in World Surfboard Riding Championships
October 1977 Two SA squash players compete in NZ Open Squash
November 1977 NZ and SA compete in World Professional Golf Cup
December 1977 NZ and SA compete in Australian Open Golf Champs
March 1978 NZ and SA attend SA Yoga Teachers Association Congress
March 1978 SA anglers compete in international tournament in NZ
April 1978 NZ and SA compete in British Open Squash Championship
May 1978 NZ and SA golfers compete in Greater Baltimore Open
May 1978 NZ and SA compete in Italian golf open
May 1978 NZ and SA compete in New Orleans Golf Open
June 1978 NZ and SA compete in Masters Bowling Tournament
June 1978 NZ and SA compete in British Open Golf Tournament
June 1978 Two NZ squash players compete in SA
July 1978 NZ and SA compete in World Gliding Championships
June 1978 NZ and SA compete in Wimbledon Tennis Tournament

Forthcoming Scheduled Contacts Involving NZ and SA, July-December 1978

  • NZ and SA to compete in World Softball Championships
  • NZ and SA to compete in World Professional Golf Classic
  • NZ and SA to compete in World Gymnastic Championships
  • NZ and SA to compete in World Roller Skating tournament
  • NZ and SA to compete in World Youth Sailing Championships
  • NZ and SA to compete in Federation Cup (tennis)

In addition to the above, NZ and SA professional sportsmen will continue to meet in international competition. Specific competitions are not known to Hart at this stage.

* No confirmation of this contact has been received.