Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2nd., 1933. THE PAY’S THE THING?

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1933, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 2nd., 1933. THE PAY’S THE THING?

the report circulated by the Labour “Daily Herald” that the Board of Control had sent an ultimatum to the M.C.C. regarding “body-line” bowling, seemed too ridiculous to be true, and the Board’s chairman made an early denial. Whatever opinions may be about the advisability of using the now famous style of attack, —and these differ mainly according to country, because despite carefully selected cablegrams sent to Australia and New Zealand, public opinion in England supports Jardine—it is generally agreed by lovers of cricket, that the discussion were better dropped, leaving events in 1935 to decide any difficulties arising. The M.C.C. has shown a disposition to meet Australian objections, and it were better left at that, meanwhile.

“The Observer,” a Sunday journal of the more responsible type, suggests that the Australian visit be postponed for a year, in order to prevent any lessening in the cordiality of the welcome usually forthcoming. This suggestion in itself, shows that England is not so anti-leg theory, or body-line, as inferred. Whether a postponement of the 1935 tour is warranted, seeing the itinerary is fixed, and the

main arrangements made, is open to argument. There is the danger that such delay would keep alive a dispute most wish to see ended as soon as possible. But the thought will arise that these Anglo-Austra-lian tours are too frequent, and that no harm would be done to cricket, whatever the effect on club coffers, or players’ earnings, if the present

intervals between these exchange of visits were doubled, at least. One tour seems hardly over, before another is launched, and although held in England and Australia alternatively, each team’s doings are enabled to be followed so closely, that except for those who actually attend the matches, it does not matter a great deal where the games are played. The Rugby football authorities ration these tours in wiser fashion, estimating that several years is none too much to allow to elapse between matches between the Homeland and Overseas. The consequence is that familiarity is not allowed to create undue lost sense - of proportion, the long intervals between the contests having a salutary effect. International tours in all sports are being greatly overdone, 'from the sporting viewpoint, and | will degenerate into solely business enterprises if a stand is not soon taken. The players themselves are not able to withstand the physical strain, and suffer worse through the.emotional consequences of their encounters. ‘‘There is money in it,” must not be permitted to be the deciding slogan, otherwise it will soon be accompanied by another “There’s no sport in it.”