THE CANADIANS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 128, 3 June 1927, Page 12

THE CANADIANS

CIVIC RECEPTION

WELCOME BY KINDRED SPOUTS

GATHERING AT TOWN HALL

A coinbined welcome to Wellington was given the Canadian Association footballers by the civic authorities and representatives of kindred sports, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Tronp) presided. There were also present several councillors. The Hon. F. J. Eolleston, Attorney-General, represented the Government. The New Zealand Football Association was represented by Mr. A. Varney (chairman) and the "Wellington Football Association by Mr. A. E. Wells (president). Kindred sports bodies were represented as follows:—New Zealand Kugby Union, Mr. S. S. Dean (chairman)j.Wellington Eugby Union, Colpnel G. F. C. Campbell (president), and Mr. W. J. Hardham, V.C.; New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. G. N. Goldie, Wellington Hockey Association, Mr. K. Hardie Boys (chairman). , The Mayor said it was a great pleasure to him' that his first reception should be to a football team from the sister Dominion of Canada. He gave a hearty welcome to the visitors, whose prowess had preceded them. Since their arrival they had carried all before them. Before they left he hoped they would see something of the country, which was a, small country compared with Canada. Although Canadians, there was a Scotch leaven in their parentage and it was not surprising to find so many of Scotch blapjl in the team when one took into" consideration the position Association football occupied in Scotland. He wished the team a successful time, and said the City Corporation would- be pleased to place all facilities at their disposal to enable them to see all they could of Wellington. Councillor M. F. Luckie said that in these days when so much was spoken ot abonf the Anglo-Saxon race, visits such as these played an important part m bringing the parts of the Empire toS ther. He hoped tho team would leave toelmg that they had made a lot of friends. . • „Th° H°n- F. J. Eolleston welcomed the team on behalf of the Government. Jle raised a smile when he said that soriie thirty years ago when he became too old for the Rugby game ho took to Association, and became secretary to the Wellington Football Association. He stressed the value of these visits because on and off the field of play there were formed more lasting friendships than were formed in many other ways. AVo would probably learn a great deal about Canada during the visit, and he W r tt« Canadians would take a similar knowledge and understanding back These visits taught in a distinctive way that we were all members of one great lamJ ly.< the one great British Empire Jr\A^; WeUa Scorned the team on behalf Of the Wellington Football Assertion. At the match there would bo others than Soccer followers watching He sa!d that because New Zealanders were always willing to extend a. hearty welcome to the team, irresnec- ":;''« «>de being played. H?assured tlie team they would leave with a-sincere impression of the sportsmanship of the public of New. Zealand. W ¥ % ■V?r, De£ J1 Scorned the team on mS A iHBUB, by P'ayors of the dominion. Although he did not know very much about; Association, he did up Pieciate Soccer football as a RiHue He was pleased to meet again Mr" Adams who had helped to make the stay ot tho; 1924 toam in Canada enWW ' *?° r.eforrod t0 tho friendship hetwoon the rival codes, and said thai the New Zealand Eugby Union had placed its playing fields at the disposal of the Football Association throughout the Dominion, and had agreed not to play counter-attractions in order that every possible chance should bo given of enabling the public to sco how Soccer football should bo play'i "We try to do-out best," he said, ""and whether ycu beat us-.or whether we beat you we will shake you by. tho hand when you go, and say, 'Wo have been glad to : meet.you.' " ' Replying; Alderman Adams, manager of the team, expressed deep gratitude at the welcome the team had received, not only in Wellington but throughout tho country. He felt that tho team had not been tried out yet, but, the game against Wellington was tho ono they wished to take away. Canada was al- • vs glad to welcome teams iromher sister Dominion, and it was with pride they had welcomed the Maori team not so long ago. His team were ambassadors from the Dominion to the north. While here, he had passed through some of tho most fertile and prettiest country it had been his good fortune to see He admired the friendship existing between the kindred sports, and said he was sorry to say that they rarely had that in Canada. What he saw hero w-aa encouragement to carry on. Ho again thanked all bodies for tho welcome, and he conveyed to the Mayor and councillors of Wellington greetings from' the civic authorities of his city Mr. Troup asked Mr. Adams to carry back with him similar greetings from the Wellington Corporation. During tho reception the team sung a national song, and the National Anthem closed the proceedings.