WELCOME TO MOTHER LAND

Evening Star, Issue 19550, 7 May 1927, Page 6

WELCOME TO MOTHER LAND

DOMINION'S CRICKETERS ENTERTAINED A NOTABLE GATHERING Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May G. (Received May 7, at II &.nj.) “We are delighted that our first gathering is to welcome the New Zealand cricketers,” said Lord Harris at the British Sportsmen’s Association’s lunch at the Savoy. Lord Harris recalled a tour of New Zealand, in which ho took part half a century ago, and laughingly recounted how they arrived at a country hotel following a conference of Maoris, who left only a tin of sardines and half a bottle of whisky for elevep hungry tourists. They welcomed the New Zealand team because tbe dominion had touched Britain’s imagination by the warmth of its welcome to the Duke of York, Their cricket tour was an enterprise compelling admiration. The players would fare all right if they forgot that they were facing great bowlers and kept a straight bat and a dear eye. They wore on the eve of completing their cricket education, and their return would arouse enthusiasm in the game in New Zealand.

Mr Lowry, the New Zealand captain, said: “We did fairly well against the Australians, and after the fame gained by oiir footballers, the people decided that New Zealand must win a place in cricket. They thought that the right place to come and learn was England.”

Mr L. S. Amery (Secretary for the Dominion) paid a tribute to Now Zealand as the sportsman’s paradise and nursery. He said he was personally looking forward very keenly to his visit to New Zealand in a few month’s time. He had a sneaking hope to got off quietly for a few days and enjoy the delights of New Zealand life. The gathering included the Lord Mayor, Lords Decies, Jelliooe, Desborough, and Hawke.—A. and N.Z. and ‘ Sun ’ Cable