THE TRIANGULAR TESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13768, 5 June 1908, Page 5

THE TRIANGULAR TESTS.

AUSTRALIAN " TWADDLE." TRUTH AND FICTION. By Telegraph— Association.—Copyright. London', June 'J. In the course of its eomm -n's in Australia's decision to stand out of the proposed triangular test matches. Truth says:—" Australia has to learn that, we are not going to play cricket in her way. We pay her cricketers when they come here, she must pay ours when out there." Continuing, the paper says " We are fairly sick of the twaddle talked about Australian patriotism. They expect to get our cricketers and navy for nothing, and won't come forward to help the Imperial cricket scheme because they cannot rule the roost, and get as much money as they want."

English teams, as everyone knows, do not come to Australia for nothing, and no one has, 01 course, ever suggested that they should. The M.C.C. has always insisted upon a certain sum being guaranteed by Australia. In tho ease of the last team the sum stipulated was £10.000, ami the payment by Victoria of its share involved a loss, but -it was cheerfully home. The M.O.G. itself has, in all' its "negotiations wiTh Australia, shown a disposition, and no doubt very properly, to consider finance before sentiment. So that the altitude of Australia is not peculiar. The reply to tho other assertion i.s that Australia pays, as also does Now Zealand, an annual subsidy toward the upkeep of the navy, and, besides, has undertaken to provide coastal and harbour defences that will necessitate an outlay of something like aquarter of a million.

THE FINANCIAL ASPECT. MR. ,ABE BAILEY'S VIEW. London, June 3. Mr. Abe Bailey, the South African millionaire and sportsman, in an interview with a representative of the London Sportsman, said that lie had little doubt but that financial reason were responsible for Australia's refusal to join in the triangular test scheme. He did not consider the financial difficulties insuperable, and, personally, would, do all in his power to smooth them over. FEELING IN AUSTRALIA. (Received June 5, 1.20 a.m.) Svjixky, June 1. There' is considerable dissatisfaction in crickvliiig circles on account of the" decision of the board of control not to participate in the triangular contests.