"PLAYED THE GAME"

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 39, 14 August 1930, Page 11

"PLAYED THE GAME"

THE BRITISH TEAM

GOVERNMENT f-AREWELL

The British football team was farewelled on behalf of the Government at a pleasant function in the social room at Parliament House this morning. The manager and the captain of the team were presented by the Prime Minister with bound volumes of scenic views of the Dominion, as a memento of their visit. The Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. F.orbes) said that when the team came to New Zealand they were certain of a warm welcome, and they must have been surprised at the enthusiasm with which they had been greeted from North Cape to the Bluff. Those who plaj'ed the game were always sure of a good welcome and friendly greetings they went throughout this country. Mr. Forbes said the people were indebted to visits such as that of tho British team, for it enabled them to see the splendid sportsmanship that was characteristic of the British race, and which had been so marked right throughout the tour. The sporting way in which-the team had taken both their wins and their losses had made a fine impression. After all, football was only a game, and what told more than wins or points, scored was the manner in which it was played. Their friends of the British football team had shown a true sporting spirit. He felt sure the New Zealand players had also been inspired by the same spirit, and that they had left the field with feelings of the greatest admiration for- their opponents. Mr. Forbes expressed pleasure to have had the opportunity of meeting the members of the team, and assured them that they would leave behind them a reputation) they might feel proud' of. (Hear,: hear.) They would also leave behind a host of friends, who would follow their future movements with special interest. In making the presentations, Mrl Forbes extended to the team best wishes for a fine trip to Australia, good games, and a safe return home. , , AN EMPIRE NOTE. Beturning thanks, the. manager of the team, Mr. James Baxter, said that partings were always rather sorrowful. From the first moment of their landingin New Zealand they had been received with spontaneous bursts of welcome. Tho people seemed to take them into their hearts'''from the word 'go.''? Speaking of the friendships formed in the course of the visit, Mr. Baxter said they left with considerable regret. So far as football was concerned, had learned many things, and he hoped New Zealanders had' learned the better things from,the members of'the team. There was no question that the more the people of the Empire intermingled and exchanged ideas and got to like each other the better it was for all concerned, and for tho Empire in particular. (Hear, hear.) If in their short visit they had done anything to help towards that end they were very proud. They would return to the Homeland with very happy thoughts of New Zealand. . ■, ' > PART OF THEIR HEARTS. ■ The captain, Mr. F. D. Prentice, said they were'a rather sad little party on the eve of their departure. They had had a wonderful time, and honestly felt very much their departure from this beautiful country. • They had tried to play the game, both on and off the field, and he thought they had succeeds cd. (Hear, hear.) It did ndt' matter whether they had won the matches; the principal' thing was that they played the game off the field. "Most of us are leaving a good deal: of, our hearts behind," he said, in conclusion.