GREAT THING FOR CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 75, 26 September 1927, Page 8

GREAT THING FOR CRICKET

COMPLIMENT. TO MR. SIDEY

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post")

CHBISTCHURCH, 24th Sept. The prediction that the passing of the Summer Time Bill would make New Zealand a great cricketing country was made by Mr. D. Eeese, chairman of the New. Zealand Cricket Council, this morning, when extending to Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.P., the- congratulations of the sports bodies in Canterbury. The function took place at the Tailway station, Mr. Sidey being oa his way home to Dunedin. Representatives were present from the majority of the sports bodies of Christehurch,' and also the ' Commercial Travellers' Association. Mr. Reese' congratulated Mr. Sidey on his wonderful fight. They felt, he said, that it waß a great step ' forward in the world of sport. Even football would benefit from it, for footballers were drawn from the.summer sports. New Zealand would become a great cricketing country, after the wonderfully successful tour of England. When New Zealand did rise.to be a great cricketing country the name of Mr. Sidey would always be remembered. The fight made by Mr. Sidey, lasting for eighteen years, had been, wonderful, and he had had 75 per cent cf the' population behind him. In expressing his thanks, Mr. Sider said that the meeting was totally unexpected. It was true that he had had a long fight against great odds, but prejudice died hard. He always remembered that among the very first to give him support were" the people of Christchurch. He recalled that when. • Mr. Hudson first suggested the idea of daylight saving to the Wellington Philosophical Society many years ago, before it was thought of -in "the Ola Country, it was the people of Christ- . church who gave him support. "This little function will be one of the most ' pleasurable recollections of the many reminiscences of the! fight," said difficulties, but if the sjystem was only given a fair trial by the farmers the difficulties would be removed for all time. It would give a fillip to sport, and it would mean a new era for cricket in New Zealand. Resounding' cheers were given for Mr. Sidey as he boarded the train. « be followed by more (Jheers 'as the express left the station.