Rain-soaked Wicket for Test

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 159, 8 July 1938, Page 5

Rain-soaked Wicket for Test

NINE HOURS' CONTINUOUS RAIN United Press Association.—By Electrlo Telegraph.—Copyrlgnt. Received Friday, 1.20 a.m. LONDON, July 7. At Manchester where no cricket test has been finished since 1905, the rain has been continuous for nine hours and was falling heavily at noon after storms earlier in the week. ■* * * V shops leaving at tho most a single assistant to watch the shop. Although the hour was one when business would normally have been brisk they turned their backs unhesitatingly on their customers, and even those who did remain in the shops stood with heads bowed and eyes closed while the surprised customers waited wondering why they were thus ignored. In ono shop, however, no noon-day interruption of business took place —because the clock was fast and the silence had already been solemnly kept at ten minutes to twelve. A conference of market gardeners taking place at midday at the office of the Chinese Consulate ceased its discussion, members standing mute until tho allotted time was up. In the Hutt Valley market gardens bells were rung to tell tho toilers it was noon. Then they stood motionless leaning on their spafdes. Others gathered in their whares and toolsheds. Chinese at fruit and vegetable markets stood grouped wliilo the Oriental portion of the Taranaki and Haining street populace retired indoors until after noon. Asked of what they thought during the silduce, most were unwilling to reply. One said, however, ho was thinking of a green hill at Canton where his parents wero buried. Another replied that Chinese did not pray in the manner of Europeans, but they felt profound sorrow and sympathy for their countrymen who were fighting in China, and a firm resolution to do the utmost in their power to help them in the hour of need. To-night, at a meeting of the Wellington Chinese Association, Consul Feng Wang and other prominent Chinese "Bpoke of the situation in China and the progress of the war was discussed. AUCKLAND’S COMMEMORATION AUCKLAND, July 7. A bell rang; Chinese with bowed heads stood in silence; three minutes passed, then the further ringing of the ! bell marked the end of tho silencC. i This was Auckland’s part iu the solemn | commemoration by over 2000 Chinese ! nationals in New Zealand of the sacri- j I fico of their countrymen during the first I year of the struggle with Japan. I * ‘‘We do not know how long the war will continue, but we must prove that wc are united in supporting the Government of China,’’ said Mr. Gum Leung (chairman of the Auckland Chinese Association), in addressing the gathering at the city markets. “Our people have not sought this war, but thev are determined to resist tho aggression and will fight until the Chinese soil is freed from the invader.” Will Defend to Last Man CHINESE WILL TO VICTORY WELLINGTON, Last Night. China’s steadfast resolution to defend her country to the last man no matter how long the Sino-Japanese Wli might last was expressed by the Chinese** Consul (Mr. Feng Wang) to-day speaking on the occasion of the anniversary of the outbreak of the Far Eastern War. “This is the first anniversary of the beginning of the Chinese resistance to Japanese aggression," said Mr. Feng Wang. “At tho beginning of hostilities the enemy thought they would make an Ond of the war in about three months. Now' they are reported to have stated there will be a ten years' w r ar, but no matter how long this war is going to continue China will fight to her last man. As to the outcome there has never at any time been any doubt in the minds of the Chinese people. They know time will tell in their favour. The longer the war lasts the stronger will be their determination to see it through to its victorious conclusion. Nothing is impossible for a country with 450,000,000 people who have made up their minds to win."