CHINESE GUARANTORS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9771, 31 July 1924, Page 6

CHINESE GUARANTORS

THE EASTERN SOCCER TEAM’S VISIT. AMUSING SIDELIGHT OF EARLY • NEGOTIATIONS. Now that the Chinese team has visited Gisborne, it may be of interest to recall- an incident in the campaign to get the Eastern representatives to this district. The notice in the Press that Poverty Bay was included in the itinenary of the Chinese University Touring Team, and that the sum of £l5O was at first mentioned as Poverty Bay’s share of guarantees, naturally excited keen interest in local soccer circles. Before any official confirmation was received from the New Zealand Council, three members of the executive interviewed the local Chinese Association respecting its attitude regarding the guarantee of £l5O. A full attendance of the Chinese Association was present. The deputation was well received. As it, was necessary to simplify addresses, the following was delivered: “Mr Chairman and members of the Chinese Association of Poverty Bay. Gentlemen “I stand here as secretary of the Poverty Bay Football Association and Gisborne is the headquarters of the Football Association. This gentleman here is the chairman of the Football Association, while this other gentleman is a member of the committee. The three of us have conic to see you people about the Chinese Football team that is coming to New Zealand in a few weeks’ time. The Chinese football team is a champion team. The men are all Chinese footballers. They are very good players and are very fast, like racehorses. They know football as much as the English people. Last year the Chinese team went over to Australia and played there. The Australians treated them good, and they had a line time there. This year the New Zealand football people asked them to c-ome to Now Zealand. The Chinese football people will come. The papers of New Zealand say that £5,000 must be found before New Zealand can make any profit. The New Zealand headmen put news in the paper that Poverty Bav is or.e of the places for the Chinese footballers to come and play. Very well! they also tell us that the footballers of Poverty Bay must pay £l5O before the Chinese team can come here. The three of its here belong to the committee of rootball people of Gisborne. Ye want to tell you now that the committee lias not got the £l5O. But we ask you, can vou help us to get the £lo0? Y e would like ‘to see the Chinese footballers here. You would like to see. them too, we know that. \ou like to sec vour own people play football. Thev are good men and very clever. We'have good men here but not so clever as the Chinese footballers. We must get this £l5O to get the Chinese team here. If we can get this. money guaranteed at once we will wire the New Zealand headmen footballers m Wellington and then the day for the Chinese team for Gisborne will be sent to us soon. If you like to see voirr own people play -football here, now is the chance to get them. Of course, if the gate money on the day of the game is £l5O, no one will need to pav anything. Only when the gate money is smaller than £l5O, the Gis"borne guarantors will have to make up to £l5O But we must have money on hand at once so that u hen the Chinese footballers want the £loU we must send it to them. Ye must not lose this chance to see the Chinese footballers, your own people, play football here. That is all 1 have to sav. If you have any questions to ask vou may do so, 1 will do my best to tell you.” At the conclusion of the address, the Chairman of the Chinese Association moved that all those in favour of subscribing to the £iou guarantee, hold up their hands. Each member present signified his willingness spontaneously. In proof of thengood faith the sum of £4O was waiting before any outside move started. How successful was the venture is now well-known to the public.