AFTER THE BATTLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 260, 27 July 1908, Page 9

AFTER THE BATTLE.

THE SPEECHES. WARNING AGAINST ROUGH PLAY AND PROFESSIONALISM. . (Bl- TELIfGIUriI—PBISS ASSOCIATION.) ■ Auckland, July 26. A complimentary dinner was tendered the membors of tlio British football team and tho New Zealand representative team last evening. Mr. A. E. Devore presided, and was supported by the Mayor, Mr. A. M. Myers. Mr. G. Hnrnett thanked tho Chairman for his appreciative remarks of tho British team as a body of sportsmen. He said this would b'o the last opportunity for thanking the New Zealand Rugby . Union for their kindness during the tour through- Now Zealand. They had seen some of tho finest scenery, some of the finest football,, and some of the finest peoplo in the world. They had been taken into New Zetland not visited by othor visiting teams. Football was very keen' in New Zealand,'and he had no exception to tnko to the hard game, but there had been at times, especially.in ono match,.a-tendency •to rough play. : Tho position was entirely in the hands of the referee,- but in this country his duties were particularly difficult by reason of the wing-forward play. Speaking'as - tho mouthpiece of the English-'and'. Welsh Unions, ho would warn the New Zealand authorities against professionalism. There was no doubt but that tho returned Now Zealand professionals, who : were' now barred from playing, would do their best to foster their gamo 'and endeavour' to create dissension in the ranks of amateur clubs. He hoped amateur bodies would stand firm and resist tlieso attempts. ; A bad - feature of professional football, added Mr. Harnett, was that'it took young" men to watch, instead of to play the gamo. ;-He a would not adviso New Zealand amateurs to indulge in too much training,, for it. took them too long from thoir businesses, find created a feeling of unrest. In some parts of England tho rulo was to limit tho number of days a team could be on tour. Professionalism at Home had sent t]io sports of cycling, sculling, and running to the wall, and would do tho same'in Now Zealand. Ho appealed to tho New Zealand provincial unions to act as determined men, and endeavour to stamp out rough play. Ho was- pleased ■,to>come to this country to renew old Rugby acquaintances, and 110 hoped to see anotner /Now' Zealand Rugby'team 'in' England and' Wales in a couulc of years' time. They had received from tho Governor ind tho Premier of Now Zealand and ato tho-members of the New. Zealand Rugby Union overy ; consideration. They 1 had . been beaten that'day by ti team which had nothing to fear from any Rugby team in tho world. Thoy had had all the worst of the luck during their tour, as all good sportsmen would admit ; but they would one and all carry back pleasaht memories of tho teiir through Now Zealand. ' Dr. P. F. M'Evedy (vice-Captain) said 110 had no excuse to'mako for that day's display, and thoy all admitted thoy had met ono of: the finest football teams tlikt. ever went on the field. Ho advised New Zealand not to let their exuberance of keenness allow them to indulge in pointing. Ho instanced a number of- cases met with during tho tour.. |Tho New. Zealand teams wero strong enough to win without indulging in these little tricks.

Mr. W. J. Stead-(Oaptain of tho Now Zealand team) considered that British football teams would have to adopt the New Zealand system of play if they wished to succeed against New Zealand teams. Individually tho British team contained somo very .fine players ;• it was system that they lacked. ■ He hoped the team would carry away as ploasant memories of Now-Zealand ns the All Blacks did of-tho British Isles.

The Mayor said lie had accepted tho privilege of welcoming tho British toani to' Auckland as a pleasure'; he just as keenly regretted their departure. Ho did not agree that New Zealanders devoted too much timo to sports, for ho thought it would ho a good idea if -touring football teams held shooting matches.' They all wanted' Now Zealand to slioot straight, but not want conscription; and the athletic bodies would do a;great deal to help on the movement for national defence if Lis suggestion was carried out.. ■ ■ . A number of other speakors, including officer's of the New Zealand Union, referred to' tho pleasure tho visit of tho British toani had given them. . 1 .. ' The team will leavo by tho s.s. Victoria tomorrow evening for Sydnoy. /. '