THE M.C.C. TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 27 January 1923, Page 19

THE M.C.C. TOUR

CRICKET COUNCIL'S DEFENCE.

(II TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTOHURCH, 26th January. ! Mr. J. S. Barrett (chairman), on behalf of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council, .writes as follows to the Press:— '- Now that the M.C.C. team has left the South Island; the Management Committee of the New Zealand Grioket Council wishes to make an official statement regarding the tour to date. The necessity for this arises from the fact that certain articles have appeared in a section of the Press which are unfair to our visitors, and have creJ ated a feeling of unpleasantness that' members of the committee wish to dispel. The public has little idea of the difficulty of getting a side together in England to make -this tour, and the difficulty is increased' this season by reason .of another M.O.C. team being sent to South Africa. Throughout 'the negotiations, which extended over three years, the New Zealand Council received' every help and encouragement' from the M.C.C, and at last every difficulty was overcome and the team was sent. The extent of our ' obligation may be judged from the fact that' the M.C.C. voluntarily offered to bear half of any loss while we took' all the profits. Unlike the Australian teams, the amateur members of this team receive no allowances, and each of them will be considerably out of pocket over the tour. Surely, under circumstances such as theße ; it is the duty of the New Zealand public and the Press, which is supposed to express the opinion of that public, tp extend every courtesy and consideration to our visitors. The Management Committee desires to express its thanks to the M.C.C. for sending such a good team ,to this Dominion. It congratulates Mr. MacLaren and the members of the team upon the very fine display of cricket they have given so far. It regrets that any unpleasantness has arisen, and begs those members of the team who had been offended to accept, its apologies and its assurance that the unfair criticisms do in no way represent the feelings of those responsible for the mana'genierit of the game, or the opii» ions of fchose best qualified judge cricket."-