SPORT TO GO ON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20186, 2 March 1940, Page 2

SPORT TO GO ON

GOVERNMENT DECISION VALUE OF CONTINUANCE RANKS NOT YET DEPLETED The continuation of various, forms of sport in the Dominion during the war and the necessity of clubs maintaining an active and wholehearted interest in their work were matters raised by a deputation which waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs, tile Hon. W. E. Parry, in Wellington. It was stated that, since the departure overseas of the First Echelon and the subsequent steady enlistment of men for war training, the executives of some clubs were wondering whether they should not suspend operations. “The war has caused a number of o(!r men to go into camp,” said one speaker, “but I cannot say that our ranks are depleted. We have a spate of promising young bloods coming on: Some of the older hands, however, are getting restive as to Whether we should hold on or in the meantime disband. What does the Government wish us to do? Hold off in favour of wholesale recruiting or . keep going with the material we have at hand and with that which is coming on? Reply to Deputation Mr. Parry said there was no doubt the war had taken away from many of the clubs a number of estimable sports, but he agreed that it could not be stated that there had been a serious thinning out of the ranks of the various representative clubs. “There is one thing certain, so far ns New Zealand sport is concerned,” he said, “and that is that as men retire from the field there are just as many athletically developed young men to take their place. That has always been a feature of New Zealand sport. "It would be a thousand pities if any sports clubs slackened up in thenwork. There is no need for them to close down. There is, on the contrary, a need for them to continue and if possible redouble their activities. Replacement of Players “A club would be doing splendid service if in every instance of a player or member retiring it promptly puts a man in his place. Clubs must be kept intact for the good and advancement of their sport and the community generally.” It was of great concern to the community in time of war, the Minister said, for the country to maintain its general activities. The value of a spirited 'continuance of sports could not be over-estimated. In asking clubs, on behalf of the Government, to continue their sport, he felt there would bo no empty response to the appeal.