SPORTSMEN AND THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16013, 3 September 1915, Page 3

SPORTSMEN AND THE WAR.

NO GAMES TO BE DISCONTINUED.

The question of special taxation to meet the expenditure in connection with the training and sanding of New Zealand troops to the front was referred to yesterday in the report of the committee of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, submitted to the annual meeting. The report stated that the organisation, through the board of control in Wellington and the local committee made representations which had borne good fruit. There was a danger at one time that wrong action might have been taken by the legislators, in that it was continuously suggested in the papers that all sports gatherings, which would have included cricket, football, and other athletic clubs' meetings, should be taxed. The Budget had not, however, provided for any such taxation, which would have been manifestly unfair and would have tended to destroy" interest in athletics.

The chairman, Mr. John Rowe, remarked that, although at present they were engaged in the greatest war that had ever shaken the Empire, they did not think it wise to curtail any form of sport. Prom among the sporting people, it would be found, came the greatest number of those brave lads who had so conspicuously distinguished themselves in the Dardanelles. They therefore thought it wise to continue their gam-as in order to keep their lads fit and well. There would be no slackness in recruiting in their ranks when the men were wanted. They felt confident that if each man of their party was required at the front, he would be found there.