ENGLISH LEAGUE TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20024, 14 August 1928, Page 10

ENGLISH LEAGUE TEAM.

WELCOME BY GOVERNMENT.

RIVAL FOOTBALL CODES. MANAGER REGRETS DIFFERENCES. [■BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Monday. A Government reception to the English Rugby League football team, now touring New Zealand, was extended in tho Cabinet room this afternoon prior to the team's departure for Nelson.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Downio Stewart, apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister. He recalled the last visit in 1924 of an English League team, commenting that there were three members of that team included in the present combination. He welcomed the toam to New Zealand and emphasised the value of international visits of sportsmen, not only in fostering their particular branch of sport, but in strengthening Empire ties. Ho hoped they would have a very pleasant trip and carry away with them very pleasing memories of their visit to the Dominion. The Hon. K. S. Williams supported Mr. Stewart in congratulating the team on its success in Australia and in wishing it a pleasant time in New Zealand. Mr. E. Osborne, tho manager of the team, recalled that this was his second visit to New Zealand. His previous tour had given him many happy recollections of "a kind and hospitable people living in a land of beauty." The visit had more significance than merely to play football, for such tours were the means of strengthening tho ties that bound the kith and kin of tho Empire.

Mr. Osborno regretted that tho trivial differences between the League and tho Rugby code should be the cause of such heart-burnings that existed. He appealed to all interested in true sport not to let these differences enter into their social life.