Playing of Soccer in Schools

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 153, 1 July 1938, Page 8

Playing of Soccer in Schools

REPLY TO ALLEGATION OP DISCOURTESY Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 30. The suggestion made r#; the Wellington Colleges Board meeting that the Wellington Football Association had been lacking in courtesy and tact in its dealings with Mr. W. A. Armour, headmaster of Wellington College, in its efforts to have Soccer introduced into the college, was refuted at last night’s meeting of the management committee of the association, by the chairman, Mr. J. Meltzer. “My attention has been drawn to a report of a meeting of the Wellington Colleges Board of Governors, at which a letter from Mr. Armour, headmaster of Wellington College, was read, giving his reasons for declining to receive a deputation from the Wellington Football Association,” said Mr. Meltzer. “I have so far refrained from personal abuse in this controversy and will continue to do so, even under provocation. The report contains so many statements that are not according to fact that I have not yet had time available to reply to them. May I, however, at this juncture, deal with a remark made by Mr. L. McKenzie, chairman of the board, to the effect that the headmaster was justified in resenting the tone of a letter sent to him by my association. I am astounded that a responsible person should allege discourtesy against us in view of the actual facts.” "Clouding the Issue.” “Be that as it may, I don’t propose to let Mr. McKenzie cloud the real issue by raising side-issues of no importance or foundation. The public knows that the real issue is whether there is any sound reason why Soccer football should not be played as part of the school sports curriculum in the Wellington secondary schools. “If the headmaster's word is to be final and the board admits that it cannot and will not interfere, then, of course, until a new headmaster is in power nothing more can be done. But if the headmaster is not responsible to the board why has he seen fit even to make a report to them? And, above all, why did he bother to collect information from the pupils as to the games they played when he had so clearly stated, T have not the slightest desire to see Association football introduced into this school and will use all the influence I have to prevent its introduction’? “If the boys were aware of the headmaster’s attitude, then the result of the so-called ‘information’ supplied by the pupils would appear to be about as representative of true opinion as the recent 99 per cent, vote of the Austrian people for union with Germany. We had anticipated Mr. Armour’s ocalled ‘statistics’ and have already taken steps to obtain reliable information from our affiliated clubs as to the number of college boys playing for outside clubs. The result may surprise even Mr. Armour. Public Debate Suggested. | "There arc really so many points to be answered that I am now more anxious than ever for Mr. Armour to j meet me on the public platform. It I would be an excellent opportunity for | the public to hear his views and also i for some charity to benefit. Can’t he ; be persuaded to accept? "I think you will agree that the al- ' legation of discourtesy is absolutely unfounded,” said Mr. Meltzer. "As regards the alleged plebiscite of the boys, Mr. Armour has ot asked how many boys wanted to play Soccer. What we want to know is how many boys would play the game as part of the college activities if they were allowed.”