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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 15. July 13 1981

Sophistry Rules

Sophistry Rules

Dear Sir,

Re your reply to J. Harlen last week, I quote:

"You do not seem to appreciate the difference between a country, and a national student organisation of that country. Attending a meeting of an international student organisation in a particular country does not indicate one way or another our attitude to that country."

With some modification this makes an interesting case, to wit:

You do not seem to appreciate the difference between a country, and a national rugby organisation of that country. Allowing an international rugby tour from a particular country does not indicate one way or another our attitude to that country.

Thank you for the contribution to our cause.

Ces

The difference between the two cases is, in fact, quite distinct. It hinges on the connection between organisations and their governments.

As my reply to last week's letter from the editor of the Israeli embassy's "Information Bulletin" pointed out, the policies of ASA member nations' are strongly opposed to repressive and antidemocratic governmental policies everywhere -including within their own countries. This separation between government and student organisation allows us to support, say, the That national student organisation and condemn the fascist nature of the That government.

In the case of the South African Rugby Board (the while, minority rugby union controlling the Springboks), there is no such separation. Dr Danie Craven, for all his mouthings about 'integration' of sport, is one of the apartheid regime's most influential and vocal supporters. The whole system of South African sport, contrary to the opinions of apologists for apartheid such as Ron Don, is still run completely within the framework of the apartheid laws.

The real voice of South African rugby players, the South African Rugby Union (a non-racial organisation to which over 80% of Black rugby players are affiliated), has consistently called for the complete sports isolation of South Africa until the whole apartheid system is smashed.

To conclude, the inseparable connection between the Springboks and apartheid means that to allow a South African rugby tour of New Zealand can be interpreted as nothing other than support for apartheid.

Ed.