A STUPID CABLE

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6184, 15 September 1921, Page 5

A STUPID CABLE

f SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS, THE OBJECTION TO COLORED team. ..

GUTTING RETORT BY NATIVES

ROTORUA, Sept. 14. Consequent upon a statement that the Springboks had expressed a dislike to playing the Maori team on account of color prejudice, Kiwi Amoliau and Tai Mitchell, representing the Arawas, telegraphed to tlie manager of the team, regretting that the Maoris, whc. had extended courtesy and’ hospitality to the Springboks. in Rotorua, did not know their feeling in the matter, adding: “With that in your mind, to accept their welcome and break bread with our people,, and then later insult them as you have done, is not, according to the Maoris, the cede honorable adopted by gentlemen.” WANGANUI, Sept. 14.

W. T. - Parata, manager and organiser of the Maori team which recently played the Springboks at ’Napier, expresses regret that tlie conduct of certain sections of the rqixed crowd should have left room for complaint. Parata and members of his team desire to state that they felt very g»ateful for the privilege and lioncr extended‘to the Maoris by Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, in agreeing to play this game. They also wish to say that- the Maoris believe in playing a keen, hard game, but are just as interested in maintaining the best traditions of the Rugby code, and anxious not to depart from the niceties and beauties of the game.

PROTEST FROM THE MAORIS

MR BENNETT’S REPLY

“TEAM NOT RESPONSIBLE.”

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Mr Bennett, manager of the Springboks, has sent - the following message in response to telegrams of protest .from the Maoris: “Thanks for telegram. You should not take notice of unauthorised newspaper talk. We are not responsible for the alleged cable which does not in any way represent our views. Regret you should have telegraphed in such insulting strain without makiifg proper inquiry.” Seen to-night, Mr Bennett said: “That- is our position. We have never expressed any views like this and the cable did not represent our feelings. When it was brought to the notice of the team to-day, they regretted the fact that such a cable had been sent and were very annoyed about it. No pressure was brought on me to play a match against the Maoris never at any time objected to play. We appreciate the way the Maoris treated us and have most pleasing recollections of our stay amongst them. I have very good authority for the belief that the cable did not appear in tlie African papers.”—P.A. A SPLENDID APOLOGY. OFFENDING COMMENTS MADE BY PRESSMAN. ALLEGED LEAKAGE THROUGH POST OFFICE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Mention was made a few days ago of the attitude of the Springboks towards the Maori footballers. Mr Bennett, manager of the visiting team, made a statement to-day in. explanation of what occurred at Napier, and, incidentally, he offered a frank apology to the Maoris. The offending comments were made in a cablegram despatched to South African newspapers by a South African journalist uho is travelling with the team. !'he author has since expressed regret that he allowed momentary anger to betray him into writing a message that raised the color line against the Maoris in what- New Zealanders might regard as an offensive way. Members of the team state, through Mr. Bennett, that they have received a c onerous welcome and hospitality from the Maoris, and they are .exceedingly sorry that anything should have been said to hurt the feelings of the Native footballers. They dissociate themselves entirely from the ftntements made in the. cablegram. M*. Bennett added that the pabibaiion of the contents of this cablegram was due to the leakage of information from the Post Office. Tins was a matter that the Government was investigating. He believed that the message had not been pubhsiiad by the South African newspapers, end it was very unfortunate that unauthorised publicity should have been given to it in New Zealand.—Special “NOT SATISFIED.”'

CAPT. PITT’S SUGGESTION

,In reply to Mr Parata’s wire, Capt-r-. Pitt yesterday telegraphed: — “Supporters here not satisfied. Suggest if Air Bennett and Springboks sincere they should cable South African press deprecating unwarranted attack and disassociating himself and team from statements which are contrary to fact.” Mr Parata replied:— “Papers in South Africa refused to publish cablegram. Mr Bennett promises to make a public statement.”