ALL BLACKS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 July 1924, Page 6

ALL BLACKS

TEAM UNCHANGED. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.I WELLINGTON, July 28. A special meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held to-night to consider a proposal from the Prime ■Minister, forwarded through the medium of the Hon. J. G. Coates, to increase the number of the All Black team.

It appeared that a deputation from Auckland waited on the Priiiie Minister and submitted that the team was not the strongest that could be put in the held and that the team would be strengthened by the inclusion of Wright (the Auckland half-back). The union gave lengthy consideration to the proposal in committee and open meeting. No motion, it is understood, was submitted to the meeting by any members, and, therefore, no action was taken. It was stated that in' view of the system of try-outs and the fact that the team had its future before it, it was not , advisable to make any change or addition. SAILING TO-DAY. A GOOD SEND-OFF. /«■ * ,ftEiAES&TO>r, July 28 . The 'All' Black 'team, which sails for England to-morrow, was tendered a luncheon at Parliament Buildings’ today, the Governor-General (Lord Jellicoe) presiding ' , In calling on the Prime Minister (Mr W. F. Massey) to propose the toast of the guests. Lord Jellicoe recalled ,his own experiences while playing Rugby. He hoped the present team would- rival the 1905 combination’s achievement. The Prime Minister said the team was going away to uphold, the honour of the country, and he hoped they would win all their matches. While in England he had heard much of the 1905 team, and the people of Wales had never lost pleasure recalling the visit. Mr. Massey said it was not only in football that New Zealand h'a c l distinguished itself, for when he and Sir Joseph Ward were in Paris the rowing team from the Dominion contested in a tremendous struggle with the Ame.riean team, and the New Zealanders won. He believed that contests' between different parts of the were of great benefit. In proposing the toast, Mr. 'Massey said he hoped the - All Blacks would return safe and sound to the Dominion, and that they would put up a record as good as that of the 1905 team.

Supporting the toast, Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the ’Opposition) referred to members of the team as “evangels of Empire.” He felt satisfied that the team would uphold the best traditions of Rugby, and that after they had had an opportunity of playing together they would he a 50 per cent, better team than any previous team. Mr. Wilford referred to tbe fact that one of the members of the Army All Black team (West) was present, and he called upon him to show himself, whereupon the Taranaki player was greeted with loud applause. On behalf of the Opposition Mr. Wilford wished the team well and impressed upon them the fact that they had to keep up the good name New Zealand’had gained in Rugby.

Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) said lie beiieved the team would achieve success, hut he reminded them that it was better to play for the sake of the sport than for the sake of the , winning. Mr. Holland raised a laugh by applying a number of Rugby expressions to the procedure of the House. One of the jobs o( the Labour Party in the House, he said, was to keep the Prime Minister ' back in his own half. He concluded by wishing the team success, and saying that when they returned, they would have a still happier reception than they were being -accorded- at the send-off.. '. :

The’ manager of the team (Mr. -S. S. Dean) said that the 1905 team had bred a Whip (Mr. W. S Glenn, ALP.), and he hoped the 1924 team would breed a Prime Minister. He was sure the team would uphold the best traditions of the game. They were determined to x>lay the game, not only on the field, but off the field. When they met the Welshmen and the latter greeted then! with their song, the All Blacky would have something to “put the wind up them” with, for the Hon. A. T. Ngata-, Sir Maui Pbmare ancl Sir James Carroll had supplied them with a verse to serve as a- irar crv. ;

Mr. H. Frost (president of the New Zealand Rugby Union), Air. G. 11. Dix. on (manager of the 1905 All Blacks), and Air. C. E. O. Badeley (captain of the present team) also spoke.

Citizens turned out • in force this evening when the Mayor (Air. R, A. Wright) conducted a farewell function in the concert chamber of the Town Hall, where the All Black team, including Alark Nioliolls, K. Sven,son and C. Porter (Wellington), were assembled for the city to hid them bon voyage and at the same time for the Wellington men to receive presentations from the Wellington Rugby Union. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, in making the presentations to the Wellington men on behalf of the Wellington Rugby Union, said that with it went the city’s best wishes for their, success on the tour. They would watch the performances of all three with interest, and hoped that the tour would come up to their highest expectations.

On behalf. of the AVellington Rugby Union, Air. J. Prendeville extended hearty congratulations to the ’Wellington men. They were delighted with the reports of their prowess already received, and hoped that they would emulate the exploits of the three AYellington representatives in the 1905 team (W. J. Wallace, F. Roberts and D. AleGregor). He asked them to remember they were New Zealanders first and to remember the words of the French at Verdun: “They shall not pass.” The Mayor ’ extended to them the best wishes for a safe passage, a happy time and a successful tour.

AY. H. Frost (president of the New Zealand Rugby Union) said that New Zealand would be exceptionally well represented ill the team which was leaving our shores. He believed that the team would do honour to the Dominion, both on and off the field. He believed also that it would take its wins modestly, and its possible defeats as sportsmen and gentlemen. Air. S. S. Dean (manager of the team), in reply, gave an assurance that the team realised it had to uphold the reputation of New Zealand on the field and off it. The team would do its best. Mr. C. E. Badeley (captain of the. team! spoke of the honour which thev felt had been done the team in their selection. They would never forget their duties as footballers, whatever the

pleasures of the trip might prove. A verv comprehensive scheme of training had been mapped out for the journey over, and he felt sure that when th n team left the boat at Southampton it would be as fit as wa s possible under ihe circumstances. He felt, too. thaf the team had not done itself justice, that when the players understood one

another better their combination would not be wanting. Cheers for the team, followed by the National’ Anthem, closed the proceedings. -

To-night the New Zealand Rugby Union gave an official dinner as a sendoff to the team, whch was cheered to the echo.