“LOSING THEIR HEADS.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 July 1927, Page 9

“LOSING THEIR HEADS.”

A PLEA FOR REASONABLENESS. THE HAWKE’S BA Y - WIRARAP A FEUD. The Auckland “Star,” in oom"memiing upon the Banrurly Shield situation, gives expression to' opinions which will be echoed by many .supporters of the Rugby game. xne northern journal’s editorial comment is as under: — The greatest weakness in New Zealand football may be the lack of heavier fast backs; it may be in the front row. Yve do not profess to know. It may be suggested, however, that no weakness in attack or defence is quite so -serious as the desperate over-seriousness with which the game us played on the field and off. Hawke’s Bay is threatening to appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union that awards the Ranfurly Shield to Wairarapa. Can the saving grace of humour not be blown into this ridiculous work ? The idea of bringing in tlie majesty of the law to settle the destiny of a trophy that is supposed to encourage sportsmanship should be laughed out of court. If the Supreme Court decides against Hawke’s Bay, will the case go to the Appeal Court, ancl finally to the Privy Council ? Possibly, there are patriots in and about Napier who talk darkly of the League of Nations. What an example lor the younger generation ! Already there are signs that the schools are taking football too seriously. There is perhaps more truth than he realised in the remark of an Auckland headmaster, that what a boy went to school for was to f.earm to kick with the left foot. And now boys see the prize sot to high above the game that a legal wrangle is threatened! This threat, however, does not stand by itself. It- is a climax to a series of events and incidents that show how sadly a. isection of New Zealand football is in need of a -more sporting spirit—— the challenge hy Hawke’s Bay to Wairarapa. directly after it had lost the shield to that side ; the ordering off of two players fu the match; tine insulting remarks hurled at the referee afterwards • and the refusal of the two unions to support him. Somei persons seem to need reminding that football is only a game. If it is going to breed envy, hatred, and malice, what good is there in ft? The trouble is that it is our national game, and any decline in its tone is a reflection on the national reputation. It is to he hoped that wiser counsels will nrevail in Hawke’s Bay. and ' that the authorities wnflil reafiee that the prestige of football has suffered unite sufficiently in the last few weeks without the game being made ridiculous by an appeal to the Courts.