The Hawera Star. FRIDAY. MAY 4, 1934. AUSTRALIANS IN ENGLAND

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 May 1934, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY. MAY 4, 1934. AUSTRALIANS IN ENGLAND

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock'-in Hawera, Manaia. Kaupokonui, Otakeho, Oeo, Pihauia, Opunake, Eltham. Ngaere, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Te KiriMahoe, Lowgarth, Hanutahi, Kakaramea. Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Whenuakura, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Obangui, Meremere, Fraser Road and Ararata

The cordiality of the welcome extended by England to tbcv Australian '.cricket team left nothing to be desired and the tour has opened with the match against Worcester under the happiest auguries. Both sides appear to bo prepared to allow by-gon'es to 1 bo by-gooes. England could not have done more on the occasion of the welcome to the Australians to show that the visitors arrived under no* cloud of bitterness left by last year’s unfortunate occurrences in connection with the leg-theory controversy. Not only were the heads of the cricket world present on that occasion, but also the Prime Minister of Great Britain and the Secretary of State for the Dominions. Thlerr pTcsence, moreover, did not create' a “heavy” atmosphere. There was no* suggestion in the meeting with the visitors that England was making a “state occasion” of the visit. Both Mr Ramsay MacDonald and Mr J. H. Thomas were in good form at the first luncheon, at which the hosts, appro-

1 printely enough, were British, journalist's. Mr Thomas was in the mie'itry mood typical of his tempera,ment on such occasions, and even Mr MacDonald was able to forget the mighty affairs which press upon him .sufficiently long he enjoy the luncheon as the occasion which it really was, a meeting between sportsmen. The Australians were equally gracious in their acceptance of * of the' spirit, as well as of the words, of the welcome tendered them. It is j j to bo hoped that the example in good sportsmanship given on -that occasion will not be lost u,po : n cricket partisans in' England and Australia. There they sajw the men who actua Ily play the game, and provide the thrills for the crowd 1 , meeting on the bcst of terms. The crowd —and the press —should take notice and accept the matches to be provided by the tour.just opened as a spectacle of skill and sportsmanship and nothing more. There has been a tendency in some quarters .to introduce a feeling of personal rivalry and even antagonism between the leading bowler on one side and the star batsman on the other. That has been regrettable — and disgusting—and it is to bie sincerely hoped that no attempt will be m’ade to revive .that spirit. The opening match now in progress is more in the nature of a “ work-out” for. the Australians, Worcester being a cricklet county' of only medium! strength., but already the Australians have given England a taste of their quality. Bradman has leapt into the limelight at once and no is certain to prove once again the outstanding .personality of the series. 'Cricket (is a team game, but it also provides a stage for the individualist and Bradman is a star of magnitude that will always shine brilliantly and 'singly, no matter how dazzling th!e constellations. His rise in the firmament ha.s given a great fillip to cricket interest throughout the Empire. It •is to be hoped for the sake of the game that never again while ho remains at the top of his form, will his brilliance be made the excuse of poor sportsmanship on the part of his supporters on the bank or his opponents in the field.