DRINK AND FOOTBALL

Evening Star, Issue 22718, 4 August 1937, Page 7

DRINK AND FOOTBALL

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY DISGUSTED \ SATURDAY'S SHIELD MATCH DESCRIBED AS ** DRUNKEN ORGY" “ It was nothing more nor less than a drunken orgy.” This was how the Rev. J. D. Smith described the occasion of the Rugby match on Saturday between Otago and Southland to last night’s meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery. The Bacchanalian festivities at Carisbrook and in the city were strongly denounced by Mr Smith on behalf of the Public Questions Committee, of which he is the convener. His views were strongly supported by Presbytery, which is to communicate with the Otago and Southland Rugby Unions, and also with the Railway Department, asking for their co-operation in stamping out the evil of drinking when these fixtures are held.

The members of the committee were convinced that the occasion was nothing more nor less than a drunken orgy, said Mr Smith. Certainly, there were thousands of people under the influence of liquor. It was quite obvious that people set out deliberately _to get drunk, and it was just as obvious that there were a large number in the crowd in no fit condition to watch the match.. These persons -were making a nuisance of themselves at the game by pouring drink over people, being sick, and later casting offensive matter in city streets. All that sort of thing was just a disgusting orgy, especially when it was taking place at a sport that had to do with physical standards — where two physically fit sides of men were participating in a healthy and clean exercise. When such conduct went on, it was very necessary to condemn the practice. He moved that letters be sent to the Otago and Southland Rugby Unions requesting them to cooperate with the police in refusing admittance to grounds to persons who were under the influence of liquor. The letter to the Southland Union should reach it before the return game with Otago on Saturday, when there was to be an invasion from this province. He also moved that a letter be sent to the Railway Department drawing its attention to the amount of liquor being carried and consumed on trains.

The. motions were seconded by tho Rev.. J. Pringle.

Rev. T. Miller: “ X went to tie match, and I must say that round me there was an orgy of drinking. It is a sad thing that men should take drink in such very large quantities. The men round me were taking no interest in the game whatsoever. Mr Smith said that there were hundreds of bottles which boys were collecting. He saw. one small boy find a bottle, which had not been properly drained of its contents. The small boy did that. Mr Miller mentioned that several years ago he had been present at a big interstate cricket match in South Australia, and there were also plenty of bottles in evidence; only they were lemonade bottles. Discussion then lapsed.