SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS

DENIAL OF ALLEGED STATEMENTS.

Some comment has been created by the publication in several New Zealand papers of a cablegram alleged to hava been despatched to South Africa after the Springboks' match with the Maorii at Napier. Regarding this message, for which a visiting newspaper correspondent .travelling with the team is said to have been responsible, Mr. H. C. Bennett expressed much dispfeasure when approached by a Post reporter in connection with the matter. "The team strongly resents that message," he said. "It does not represent our views on the mtciter at all, and we are very much annoyed that a thing like that should have been published." Mr. Bennett stated further that it was always intended to play a match against the Maoris. In the original programme passed by tha South African Board a match was set down against the Maori Pioneer Battalion, and this had been taken as a match against the Maoris. "I understand," said Mr. Bennett, "that thb message has not been published in South Africa. The' whole of my team and the officials are very much, hurt because the Maoris have been particularly hospitable towards us. On behalf of t}ie whole of my associates, I wish to give the report an absolutely un* qualified denial.". . Regret vvas expressed by Mr. Bennett that a section of the press had published such a misleading report, and it appeared that this. had come about through <v leakage. It was understood that the Government is making inquiries as to how the text of the message came to bq divulged. ADMTRATIQN FOR MAORIS. . Speaking at the Wellington Referees* social gathering last evening. Mr. Ben- , nett made reference to the rumours and comments in connection with the Maori ra«teh.' They were »11 untrus, he said, and later on he would have an opportunity of dispelling the rumours.' However, ceitain things had been, said about the game against the Natives, and he wished ta take this first opportunity of publicly denying that they were the sentiments or opinions of the team regard^ ing the Native population of New Zealand. (Cheers and applause.) They (the visitors) had expressed opinions on the behaviour of tha crowd at the match, and at the. time had told the Natives present that they took exception to the^ remarks of the crowd, but those remarks in no way reflectfd on the player* or the Maoris as a race. They had the greatest admiration for the Natives as a race- In denying the charges which had been made, Mr. Bennett mentioned that the yisitors dissociated themselves from the class of journalism which would allow such statements as were credited to himself and his associates to be published in the newspapers without being first submitted, to the manager oi members of tha team foB verification. Such a course waa against journalistic etiquette. Had they been questioned on the subject the per* son responsible would have been put right. In conclusion, Mr.. Bennett stated that the visitors had every respect foti the Maoris a? players and as gentlemen.