AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 April 1934, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT AUSTRALIA HOUSE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ' LONDON, 27th April. It seemed that' the whole' Australian male colony in London, together with all the leading English amateurs of recent years, were present at an enthusiastic reception to the Australian cricketers at Australia House. Mr McLaren, acting--11 igh Commissioner, said that probably no team had ever left Australia bathed in such a floodlight of publicity. He read a cablegram from Lord Hawke from Capetown expressing good wishes to the team. Lord Ilailsham in a happy speech assured tlie team that England's desire was to make, them feel at home. (Received 28th April, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, 27th April. Woodful] trusted when the last ball was bowled neither England nor Australia would be disappointed. “The King sincerely thanks all attending the lunch for the loyal message and is glad to be associated in welcoming the cricketers, to whom His Majesty sends best wislies,” declared a message from the King read at the Institute of Journalists’ luncheon to the cricketers. The Prince of Wales sent a message of regret that he was unable to attend the welcome to the test team, but sent good wishes for a pleasant tour. Speakers, with the. exception of Mr J. 11. Thomas, who treated bodyline as a humourous subject, avoided controversial topics. “I am going to bo more candid than Lord Hailsham,"’ said Mr MacDonald. “I hone the best sido will win, but 1 hope you are not > going to win because I hope our side’ is better. That is my only prejudice. If you win my hand will be the first to shake yours in congratulations. That is vfliat I call good sportsmanship, namely, complete impartiality with a strong bias all the time until it’s over. Then sincere congratulations to the winners. Now I have just arranged a little matter which is sure to delight the English team. We have decided that the Australians’ general tactics and strategy should be under the charge of Mr Thomas. I do not know how that strikes Mr Woodfull and Mr Busliby, but you have just got to put up with it, because Mr Thomas, as Secretary of the Dominions, is officially in charge of the dominion visitors. Furthermore, though wo have not yet got a dictatorship I remind you we still have the profound respect for the British Cabinet decisions.”