NOT WASTED.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15453, 4 December 1915, Page 11

NOT WASTED.

» SHIRKERS IN CRICKETERS' RANKS. SYDENH AM~~CLUB TAKES ACTION. A meeting of members of the Sydenham Cricket Club, convened by Mr W. Robson, was held last evening. Mr Robson stated that he had called the meeting owing to having received the following letter from Mr W. il. Wir.sor:—

' Considering tho present state of recruiting in Christcliurch, and recognising the duty of every loyal citizen to do his utmost to heip the cause along, 1 '.vouiil respectniuy asK you to convene a meeting ol the cnib or conimittee to discti.-v. tJie matter. Personally. J must reluso to take part in matches with players of militaiv ago eligible for en.istinent. \vl:o have not yet volunteered for active service, 1 am Mire you will be witji me, .-ir. in considering, firstly, the duty we owe our country, and, secondly, the du'y we o.ve the good ;md lame of the .Sydenham Cricket Club. I am not out to point the way for other clubs, and will resent their interference with e.H. as I believe this is a matter for carli club to work out its own salvation." Mr Kobsou stated that he was entirely in agreement, with the tone o» tlie letter, and was veiy glad it had come up. He had heard that another club intendej to move in the matter. Mr W insor said that the matter had been running in his mind for some time, and lie considered it was time for the Sydenham Club to s''t their house in order. He would resent any criticism of the Sydenham Club by an outside body, which was not. cognisant of any extenuating circuuistanccs. It was a fact that .Sydenham had certain players eligible for enlistment playing in two of their teams. He uouid refuse to play with them any longer unless they showed sufficient reasons for not doing their very obvious fluty. He strongly urged any e' ; — -blc men piesent- to enlist for the sake of themselves and their country. He was su:e that the stuff in these men was as nood as in any that had yet enlisted. It was meet that tho premier club in Canterbury should be the first to hike un .'»• stand and refuse to play eligible sirHe men. Mr Patrick stated that he had seen several members of the committee, and was very pleased that action had been taken from inside the club. Ho heartily endorsed the chairman's remarks. Mr Gray said that several single members of his team were debarred for several reasons from joining the colours, but in his opinion they should be called upon to declare those reasons, or be prevented from playing m competition matches. Mr' Wilson agreed that action should be taken at once. After several other member*? had spoken, Mr Ayling moved: "That any member of eligible age for enlistment and single, shall bo left out of any team, unless ho gives sufficient reasons for not enlisting." The motion was seconded by Mr F. Woods, and carried unanimously.

A list of single members of military ago disclosed fourteen names, and of these there were only five who had not either enlisted, or hnd good reasons for not joining immediately. Mr AVinsor congratulated the club on taking such a drastic step. Ho referred to tho necessity of keening the game going, and quoted Dr. McNnb's recruiting speech, in which he stated that. "The discipline gained on the cricket and football fields greatly aided in the turning out of an efficient soldier.'' Mr <T. S. Barrett, of St. Albans Chib. stated last night that in view of the very pronoj- notion taken by Mio Sydenham Club, his club would ]<lay tho match with Sydenham set down for afternoon.