SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 September 1921, Page 5

SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS.

A REPLY FROM MR. BENNETT.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, has sent the following message m response to telegrams of protest from 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 an insulting strain without making proper inquiry." Seen , to-night, Mr. Bennett said: "That is our position. We have never expressed any views like these, 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 had been brought on me to play a match against the Maoris, arid we never at any time objected to play. "We appreciate the way the Maoris treated us, and have most 'pleasing recollections of our stay pmongst them. I have very good authority for saying tho cable did not ax>pear in the African

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