CHINESE SOCCER TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18742, 23 June 1924, Page 5

CHINESE SOCCER TOUR.

RUGBY COUNTER-ATTRACTrDN

i LOCAL ACTION CONDEMNED. ASSOCIATION'S VIEWPOINT. The Auckland Rugby Union is endeavouring to arrange a match with a Wellington team at Eden Park on August 16, when an Association -test'between) New Zealand and the Chinese Universities will be played. •' This ? action was the subject of.comment on -Saturday,: by the chairman of the Auckland Football Association, Mr. ' A.'.J Menzics. ■■;-■■;;«--::'-) ':':.]■ ■■■■

" I regret ,it is necessary ;■ to condemn the action of any sports body in connection with their attitude toward us," said Mr. Menzies, ■:■'.'. but the attempt of the Auckland Rugby Union to arrange ;an important match ; or a date when it knows that an international test was taking place in the city calls for the most severe criticism. ; It is the desire of the officials of Association football to work ?in harmony with other sports bodies, and we have never at any time attempted any under- i hand methods to alienate their players or supporters. We have fought and will continue to fight, for the introduction of our code in primary schools and secondary schools, and have met with a fair amount of success but we have never at any time suggested that our game should replace Rugby, clearly recognising that in a sporting community like New Zealand, there is plenty of room for both. ; " We are amazed to think that the controllers of what is claimed to be a national game consider it necessary to resort to such unsportsmanlike methods to try to prevent a kindred body from making a success of an international tour. As the Rugby Union's letter to Wellington indicates, it is attempting to arrange a match for August 1&, not to provide a first-class exhibition of their code, but simply to , divert people from other grounds than Eden Park. .*,"; There can be only one reason why the Rugby authorities consider it necessary to divert the public from our game, and that is that they are very concerned about the progress our code is making, 'but it is useless for them to attempt to stop such progress by fair or unfair methods. We have built our game on a fair and square basis, and the splendid ' work of / many years is now beginning to bear fruit. We are now being well supported by the public, and I am satisfied the Rugby Union will be condemned by even its own _ supporters. * .'..:'} ~ *- - ..;■'•' " This is the first time a football team of any code has come to New Zealand from outside the British Empire, and' wo feel sure that no | matter what the Rugby authorities may think or do the' public .of New Zealand will accord the visitors a hearty welcome, and will be sportsmen enough to turn out and see them play. I would: state that the New Zealand Football Association is financing this tour by guarantees from the various associations at a cost of approximately £5000, and the tour to be a success- will need to, be .well supported by the public generally. ■.. .' ; ." In conclusion, I would state that the Auckland Rugby Union was aware that August 16 was definitely set down for the first test, New Zealand and Chinese, before it attempted to arrange a match, for this date. I will leave the public to judge as to whether the union's action was.; a ' sporting one." "yr 'V;'; :^'-, , ,