CLOSE UP. 1985 RUGBY TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA / HOMOSEXUAL LAW REFORM

“Touch and Go”

To tour or not to tour will be decided by 18 Rugby Union councillors this weekend after meeting the Prime Minister. For rugby people the Springboks are amongst the All Black greatest rivals, but the 18 men have more than rugby to consider. Their game has become a focus for the anti=apartheid movement. Before they make their decision the councillors will be asked to consider the implications of the tour, both here and abroad. Tonight Close Up talks with the Chairman Ces Blazey and five of his men.

Speakers: Ces Blazey (Chairman, NZRFU), Ron Don, Peter Wild, Richie Guy, Ray Harper, John Dowling (NZRFU Councillors).

“Age of Consent”

A desperate campaign is on to prevent homosexuality becoming legal. Opponents of the bill now before Parliament are insisting that the country should decide the issue by referendum. But if Parliament is to make the decision even the bill’s most vehement opponents concede it will be passed. The major question would now appear to be the age of consent. The bill provides 16 the same age of consent as for heterosexual relationships, and gay activists say that anything else would be discriminatory. But other say 16 is too young and it should be 20 or 21.

Speakers: Jon Lusk, Sebastian, Prof. Jim Robb, (Homosexual Law Reform Society), Keith Hay (Campaign Against Law Reform), Denis Marshall (MP, Rangitikei), Geoff Braybrooke (MP, Napier).

“Murder Next Door”

A report about a family murder from Australia’s 60 Minutes.