The words of a New Zealand priest, who has lost a hand (blown off by South African security police) while fighting against apartheid must carry some weight in the Springbok tour issue.

Last Thursday, Canon John Osmers visited Victoria to talk to students about his experience in South Africa. As a parish minister in Lesotho working with black workers and their families, he has gained invaluable knowledge and understanding of the oppressions that black South Africans face.

Working in Lesotho, officially a 'self governing' country, he points out the harsh effect of apartheid on Lesotho as a consequence of its economic dependence on South Africa. Because Lesotho has very few industries, most black workers have to leave to find work in South Africa. As migrant labourers they earn much less pay in comparison with white workers. A black worker will receive $200 per month compared with $1000 received by a white worker doing equal work.

The splitting up of the family as a consequence of the men leaving Lesotho causes much psychological and emotional hardship. Many women hardly know their husbands, as they are gone for most of their working life, and children may have never met their fathers.

Because of the conditions of poverty in Lesotho the infant mortality rate is phenomenal (one in four die before their first year). This disparity in a relatively rich country is contrasted with the growing strength in South Africa of the white economy.