Welcome Tendered to Indians

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 175, 27 July 1938, Page 3

Welcome Tendered to Indians

“REPRESENTATIVES OF AN ANCIENT RACE” The Indiau hockey tourists were tendered a welcome in Feilding last evening, the function taking place in the Borough Council Chambers. The Mayor (Mr. T. L. Seddon) presided and welcomed the visitors. “Your team seems to be something between a cosmopolitan club and the League of Nations,” he said. “'Quite a short time ago we had the pleasure of welcoming a ladies’ hockey team from the Homeland and now we are privileged with a visit from representatives of one of her noblest daughters—lndia. “You belong to an ancient race with a civilisation that was old when our own ancestors were still painting their faces with woad. You have given to civilisation many things, enlarged the knowledge of art and culture, and it is not too much to say that you have been reinvigorated by your contact with the West. “It has been loft for the English,” said Mr. Seddon, “to teach you the benefit of organised games which the English consider to be the best leveller of all class distinction and pride. In such games the best ancl the worst can be brought out, and in this way we get a better understanding of one another.” The speaker extended best wishes to the visitors in their forthcoming game, extended to them a warm welcome and wished them a happy stay in the town and a safe return to their homeland. Professor Jagan Nath (manager of the Indian team) returned thanks on behalf of the visitors. Thero was a good attendance both of hockey enthusiasts and of the public.