Supporting the Rugby Team

The NZ Herald editorial is unimpressed with the PM’s move to have the have the Speaker investigate the Parliamentary Rugby Team.

So ends, probably, a harmless and charming tradition. What could be more in tune with this country than the pleasure that a few of its male MPs derive from an occasional game of rugby? What could be the harm in accepting sponsorship for their recent trip to France?

 The sponsorship had been organised by a representative of Sky TV, as it has been for years. Sky TV has an obvious interest in rugby. So do some of the other sponsors: Air New Zealand, adidas, Lion Nathan, Visa, McDonald’s and AMP. The French Government provided internal travel and accommodation.

Lobbying is a long way from corruption. If this trip was unethical, we have become too sanctimonious for words, or play.

Hear hear.