SPORT IN WAR TIME

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 21 December 1917, Page 3

SPORT IN WAR TIME

October 1,1. 1917. Men and women bold various opinions regarding- eports in -war time, and it may be of some interest to go into some of the points advanced by the 1 rival schools. When the war started there were plenty of thoughtless and selfish people' who raised the cry of " Business'as usual," whether applied to real business or to sports and pastimes. Of course, .no patriot was associated with such an absurdity. There were others who went to another extreme by suggesting that every sport should at once be dropped, and that the playing' of golf, tenuis, cricket, football, angling, shooting, and so on was very wrong. Whilst the second, policy was far better than the "Business' as usual" cry, it was not entirely justified. It cannot be denied that any man entirely engaged in sport, amusement, or on occupation which does not assist the war must naturally be a waste of man-power. The piano tuner, actor, clergyman, photogapher, public-house manager, and many others who might be named is one. man less for work of national importance, such as "munitions or the production of food. Whilst recognising this, it must also be remembered that a nation of workers cannot go on year after year without amusement. It is therefore sound and helpful policy to permit and provide certain aniueemente and sports for the benefit of those engaged in work of national imporanee. It is, of course, fully recognised that sports for oar fighters are beneficial and: proper. On the other hand, any man or woman who ignores the war and simply* enters into sports for the sake of their own enjoyment-, cannot be safd to be doing the proper thing. A big proportion of the workers of the country are now engaged in occupations which directly come under •the heading of war work. After three years of war. the need- for diversion and amusement is very necessary indeed, and on this account there is something to be said for the theatre, music ball, picture-houses, race meetings, and football matches. It is even more_ essential that war workers have opportunities of playing bowls, cricket, golf, lawn tennis, rowing, fishing, and other pastimes suitable for women, girls, and men over military age. No opportunity should be given to civilians of military age to take part in any sport, even though this may be a bardship on. the very few who have tried in vain to pass the doctor. The value of sports as a means of keeping our fighters fit and cheerful has been recognised in all quarters, and this must be beneficial to all pastimes in the future. The kill-joys will get scanty hearing in future when they attack our various sports. It is also recognised that amusement for war workers is good policy. The all-important point to remember, however, is that there is no waste of manpower in providing that amusement. That billiard-players of military age should be allowed to "business as usual" is wrong, and the same applies to men engaged in connection with the turf, boxing, gob 0 , hunting, and other ' pastimes. That footballers and cricketers of military age are engaged in work of national importance, is no excuse, their place being the Army or Navy. A runner, boxer, billiard player, footballer, trainer; jockey, or golfer of military age who evades his duty, by working as a miner, munition worker, or some other protected occupation is harming sport, and, whilst he may escape danger ana hardship at the expense of his honor, he will probably regret it in the long "run when the lighters return and taunt him with selfishness and cowardice. It is up to the authorities governing our sports and pastimes to do the right thing, and all efforts to promote sport should be entirely confined to past and present fighters and those under I and over military age. SOLDIER SPORTSMEN.

The military career of the late Lieutenantcoktuel Edgar Mobbs, D.5.0., reads like a romance, his rise from private to a high rank in two and a-lialf years being wonderful. As many sportsmen are now aware, it was decided to erect a memorial to this famous Midland Rugby, player, and the sum already subscribed amounts to over £1,500. Those associated with the movement are bent on malrine it £2,000, and in sueb a cause .the sum will no doubt be forthcoming. It has not yet been decided what form the memorial will take, but the idea is to make it something practical and associated with the sporting and military career of the deceased gentleman. Perhaps the most suitable! memorial would be the erection of a small clubhouse near the depot of the Northamptonshire Regiment, for the nee of the sporting units of tbat regiment. About £SOO would suffice to erect and equip a ' small hall, and the upkeep would be covered by the income on the balance. SWIMMING. !

The merits of certain girl swimmers over a long journey have been argued in the sporting Pre* for some time, the claims of Miss E. Lee, of Twickenham, in particular being advocated (writes our London correspondent on October 11). With "a view to deciding the question, the. (Sty of London Ladies S.C. promoted a Wo hours' swimming race in the Lambeth Baths last Saturday, and the event aroused much interest. Sensational distances in fast time accomplished in a river with the help of the stream convey no real guide of ability, so that the venture under notice was haded with much satisfaction. Unfortunately, Miss Lee did not avail herself of the. opportunity of showing if her form in the Thames represented 'her best, she being an absentee. Tour other candidates put in an appearance and of these Miss L. Morton, of Blackpool, and Miss 51. Fletcher, the holder of the Southern Ladies' 220 Yards Championship, were most fancied. The former took the lead at the start, and, maintaining an easy breast stroke throughout, eventually won easily with a distance of 3m 1,046 yds to her credit. Miss Fletcher covered 3m 703 yds, Miss G. Wright 2m 1,338yd5, and Miss M. Fiatto 2m 290 yds. The winner's performance stands out as remarkable when one considers that men champions were only just beating half an hour for a mile »wirt a Quarter of a century ago. Miss Morton pWT the nulo mark in 31mm lOfsec, two miles in 6*min and grades occupied 99min 26|sec. It k satasfectory to get C authentic* figures, a?* * Iffure tunes made in a tidal river should (not be taken too seriously.