HOCKEY INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28154, 18 December 1956, Page 19

HOCKEY INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA

TOUR OF N.Z. NEXT SEASON PAKISTAN “INTERESTED” IN VISIT Whether a tour of ,New Zealand by a Pakistan team or Australian team, or both, should be arranged next year was vigorously discussed at a meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Hockey Association last evening. The committee was considering a report by the association’s delegate to the Olympic Games (Mr W. H. Down), which said that Pakistan was “very interested in a tour of New Zealand next year. Australia has also requested that a team visit New Zealand next year. “I had three conferences with Pakistan players at the Olympic Games, said Mr -Down. “I was told that eight Olympic players would be included in the touring team and the other members would be of comparable standard. The Australian representatives were divided on whether they should come to New Zealand next year. They had approached Malaya unofficially.” ~ , , . , Mr Down said Australia was scheduled to tour New Zealand in 1956, but they had refused, because of the Olympic Games. “They have broken the sequence and we now have the opportunity of gaining a tour from Pakistan,” he said. “As we are so close to Australia, I feel we should give them first priority," said Mr C. C. Holland. New • Zealand ought to play the best teams available, and the Pakistan team would provide a basis for the raising of the standard of the game in New Zealand., replied Mr Down. Mr E. S. Hobson asked whether a tour by Pakistan could be accepted early in the year, with a short tour by Australia la "Tt would prejudice the success of the later Australian tour. It had been suggested that three test rhatches might be played against Australia, and that would involve a long time. I doubt if both tours would be successful,” said Mr Holland. The meeting then went into committee to discuss further aspects of the tours. When the committee resumed in open meeting, Mr Holland-moved that a letter be written to the Australian Association inviting them to send a team to New Zealand next year and asking for a reply by February 28. , Mr Down: Make it December 28, and I’ll agree. Mr Holland: Don’t let us be absurd. The chairman (Mr J. G. Leggat) said he was not disposed to leaving Pakistan in the air, and suggested that an earlier date for Australia’s reply be stipulated. “We can say the reason we are asking for an earlier reply is that we have an offer from Pakistan,” said Mr A. L. Graham. Mr Down, who opposed the invitation to the Australian team, said he felt members of the committee were letting sentiment override judgment. On an amended motion that Australia be invited to tour New Zealand and a cabled reply be sought by January 22, Mr Down and Mr Hobson dissented and asked that their votes be recorded.