CORDIAL WELCOME

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 196, 16 May 1930, Page 11

CORDIAL WELCOME

BRITISH RUGBY TEAM “PLAY HARD AND FAIR” CIVIC RECEPTION . Interest and enthusiasm marked the civic reception given the British Rugby team in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. In the words of Mr. J. Baxter, the team’s manager, and Mr. F. D. Prentice, the captain, it was an “embarassingly delightful occasion” and “a wonderful reception.” The Deputy?Alayor (Mr. Al. F. Luckie), presided, and associated with ' him on the platform were Mr. W;.H. Bennett (member of the City Council), Dr. G. J. Adams (president of the New Zealand Rugby Union), Dr. P. F. McEvedy (president of the Wellington Rugby Union), Mr. S. S. Dean Jchairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union), and members of the New Zealand and Wellington Rugby Unions. ♦ Prime Minister’s Good Wishes. Mr. Luckie first read an apology from the Prime Minister (Rt. 1 Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), who telegraphed that he regretted an important Ministerial conference'in Rotorua prevented the Government being represented at the reception. On behalf of his colleagues and himself he welcomed the team from the Homeland. The results of the matches would be followed with the keenest interest, and he expressed the hope that the highest traditions of the game would be maintained by both sides. To one and all Sir Joseph extended his personal good wishes for a , happy stay in New Zealand. (ApI»lau.se.) “That is rather a pathetic utterance tn one sense,” Mr. Luckie said, “in that It is probably the last time Sir Joseph . Ward will speak as Prime Minister to visitors to,New Zealand.” It was his very great privilege, he continued, to extend the heartiest of welcomes to the British Rugby team. On many occasions Wellington had welcomed visitors from overseas, but nothing had given, the citizens more pleasure than to extend the hand of friendship to the present visitors, and to assure them that they would be welcomed just as fully in other parts of the Dominion. Everything would be done to make their visit a complete success. Win or lose, the people were sure that the game would be played according to its highest traditions. If the visitors were successful, none would be more ready than the people of Wellington to applaud their success. “Hope You Make Us Sii Up.” Councillor Bennett said that none Of. the many athletic teams that visited New Zealand would receive a more cordial welcome than representatives of what New Zealanders called their national game. He hoped this team would be so successful as to make New Zealand players sit up and take notice. He hoped the stay in New Zealand would be a happy one. Diamoud Jubilee of Rugby. The president of the New Zealand Rugby Union said that it was appropriate' ’ that a British side should be out hero this year, the diamond jubilee year of ■ Rugby, football in. New Zealand. It was- ~ just 6Q years ago, in 1870, when the first , authentic game of Rugby was played in ' Auckland, and he was sure that ao mort worthy representatives than the present visitors could be sent to New Zealand to honour the occasion. “Perhaps it is an oven of a greater happening tu Rugby football,” Dr. Adams continued. “Every true imperialist, I am certain, would liku to see an imperialistic Rugby football, played under a true imperialistic code, Ixjth in the management of the game and in the spirit. You are going to ba the hammer to weld the Rugby link in the chain of Empire unity, and I am sure that when you leave our shores you will

have appreciated not only our loyalty to the Empire but also our loyalty to the International Rugby Board of Control. You will be true ambassadors of Empire, and it is to you we may look for the foundation of a truly Empire Rugby. You will help us to attain the object of at least a little representation on the management of Rugby in the Empire, so that we may have bn Empire game with the same set of rules. Rugby will then take its part in the Empire in a true Eqipiro way.” A Deeper Mission. On behalf of the Wellington Rugby Union, Dr. McEvedy extended a cordial welcome to the tgpm. Lose or win. he was sure that the game would be played in the true spirit. Primarily the team was here to play football, but there was ' a deeper mission behind that, and if the team could help the spirit that bound the Empire together, then the tour would be a success. Perhaps there was an omen in the fact that the first civic reception ■had been in the hands of a man named ■ Luekie (laughter and applause), and. be i hoped the team would have all the luck , it deserved. • Welcome from Maori People. j Mr. Kingi Tawhiwi, representative of I the Maori Advisory Board on the New < Zealand Rugby Union, extended a warm J welcome on behalf of the Maori race. He ; warned members of the team that when i they were among his people they would ] show them their idea of what a welcome j really was; and he was sure the team would like it. The < Maori people of New Zealand c wanted to see the team, and when they j did they would do their utmost to give f their contribution in making the visitors’ ■(

stay a pleasant one. British Manager Replies. “This is a,most embarassingly delightful reception/’ said Mr. Baxter, manager of the team. “It is very delightful indeed, but most embarrassing for football players to meet such a congress of people, whb have come not out of idle curiosity but out of the kindness of their hearts. Ever since the Rangitata dropped anchor yesterday it has been one long sequence of meeting people who have been very kind to us and who have shown that they really want to know us.” The team was here primarily to play football, he said. If it -was ruined with such kindness as had been shown, what prowess it had might disappear. He had seen the two teams that visited Britain and he knew his players were up against a “tough proposition,” and must train assiduously if they -were going to put up “any sort' of a show at all.” The diamond jubilee year perhaps marked certain matters coming to fruition, but he was not here to discuss that. His views were well known to those in control of the game in England, but his team would try to be ambassadors and show people here who had not visited the Homeland that there were still some of the old breed left in England. The team would play the game hard and fair; if it happened to win, well, it would be very pleased, but if it so happened that it was defeated, then it would take off its hat and say. “Good luck to you.” “We promise you that, win or lose, we will be gentlemen on and off the field," he concluded. “A Wonderful Welcome.” “It’s very difficult to follow such eloquent speakers,” said the captain (Mr. Prentice). The team did really appreciate such a wonderful welcome as had been given it and it was looking forward to its matches in the Dominion. On the call of Mr. Luekie, three resounding cheers were given for the visitors. and the function closed with the singing of the National Anthem. 1