"GREAT BIG CLUB."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 260, 3 November 1930, Page 5

"GREAT BIG CLUB."

SPIRIT OF PARLIAMENT.

ADDBE33 TO FOOTBALLERS

INFLUENCE OF BILLIARDS.

Taking up the epigrammatical implication, "Pass the ball," made by the Hon. G. W.'Forbes in the course of a speech in England, Mr. A. W. Hall, the Reform member for • Hauraki,. who, as patron, presided at the annual gathering of the Papatoetoe Rugby League Club on Saturday evening, drew a more extended parallel. In some ways, he said, Parliament was like a great big football club, and one of the first impressions gained by the newcomer was the camaraderie amongst members, who, apart from views expressed on the floor of the House, gave credit to each other for sincere beliefs. It was a sensible good-fellowship. There was one place there, the billiard room, which was the "holy of holies," or strictly private to members. Hβ did not know why, but it was a fact. It was in this room that the various representatives of the people met frequently as» a respite from 'duty, and became better acquainted. Before it was instituted there was a somewhat bitter spirit between the parties, but the games had served to draw members together in friendly competition, thereby creating a better understanding. Value of Team Work. "And I would say that the Parliamentarian who thinks only of himself, and is selfish, does not make much progress, just the same as the footballer who does not pull together with his team," said Mr. Hall. "The player who thinks of his team first is the kind . who makes the good footballer and, in the end, the best man. That is why I would impress on you players the wisdom of always doing your best and trying to wiri. Play the game in that earnest style, even if you do not win. It is the best in the game that counts on both sides." (Applause.) Mr. Hall introduced his remarks by stating that in Parliament he sat near Mr. Jack Massey and Mr. Jordan. The latter had a weakness for sucking'blackballs, which were invariably shared by other members near at hand. (Laughter.) It had been observed that evening that the "Press" was essential. , "It is quite true," said Mr. Hall, with a smile, "but you cannot believe all that appears in the newspapers, for if you did you might think we did far more quarrelling than actually is the case." Team work amongst the parties was a necessary feature of party government,- and it stood for better work, just as much as team work produced the best results on the football field.