SPORTSMANSHIP?

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 12, 14 July 1930, Page 8

SPORTSMANSHIP?

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—This discussion seems to me to be a "storm in a teacup." I was at the Bri-tain-Maori match, and, although I know it is possible under, stress of great enthusiasm or excitement to say things which appear to be biased, there is usually no viciousness about them, and I did not notice any particularly disparaging remarks. When wo "Whites" play against a Maori team, we generally hold the_ hope that we may win, but when Maori teams play against visitors we support them, and I think that is a perfectly natural feeling. The match uuder discussion was a particularly pleasant one to watch. It is a long time since I have seen a player congratulate an opponent as one of the Eng; lish players did when one of^ the Maori players scored a try, arid tl^e gesture must have given pleasure to all who saw it. Although your correspondents "Impartial" and "Fiat Justitia" appear to_ think that criticism has been a little unjust, I think they must admit that the newspapers have been almost unanimously fair in their reports. As an "Enzedder" I take my hat off to the British team. I formed quite a good opinion of them when I first heard them "on the ah'," and having seen them play, I am convinced that they are thoroughly good sports, both on and off the field. I fvankly admit that I did not think they could teach us anything about football, but now just as readily confess that a good deal can be learnt from their style of play and that they are a really great team. I hope they will take back with them as good an impression of New Zealand as I did of England when I visited there a few years ago.—l am, etc.,

B. P. J. COOKSON.