CRICKET DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 9

CRICKET DISPUTE

MORE BITTER WORDS INCIDENT IN SYDNEY ALLEGED PERSONAL INSULT [V'JROSI OUlt OWN COnIIESPONDKNII SYDNEY, May 25 Evidence is accumulating of the bitterness that was engendered between Australian cricket officials and players on tho one hand and those of tho M.C.C. team on the other, during the last memorable tour of the Englishmen in Australia. Of course, all the stories that are being told cannot be believed, and it is clear that others should be taken with a grain of salt, but; it is difficult to cast any doubt when the president of the Victorian Cricket Association, Canon Hughes, speaks. At a public function in Melbourne on Monday night Canon Hughes said: — " Cricket is a game worth fighting for, and it is in peril now. All of us should see that the grand old traditions are not broken down. I saw more of Jardino than most people did, and I do not like the gentleman. He does not like me, and he publicly insulted mo in Sydney." Asked later if he would amplify his remark, Canon Hughes said: " What Jardine said to me was merely a sideissue cf the whole dispute, and let us not cloud with side-issues the main issue of eliminating body-line bowling. No, I do not think it would help matters if I were to disclose the nature of the insult. The great game of cricket is much bigger than these side shows. I asked those who were present at the time to say nothing about the incident, and they have respected my request. Cricket has always been a potent factor in cementing Empire friendships. It was so until this form of attack appeared.' 1 ' It is known that there is an interesting story behind the utterance of Canon Hughes. Some say that Canon Hughes went to speak to Jardine, and that Jardine replied, in the hearing of many others, "I will have nothing to say to you." Another account of the incident says that Jardine, evidently bearing in mind something that Canon Hughes had said in Melbourne when he attacked body-line bowling, approached Canon Hughes in a threatening manner. Whatever may be the truth, it is clear that the whole tour was crowded with simil'ar unpleasant incidents, and that it would be unwise for Australia to send a team to England until the air has been cleared. Australia does not expect the M.C.C. to adopt the proposed new rule- designed to eliminate body-line bowling, but would be content if the governing body could give an intimation that captains had been instructed not to employ similar methods in the future.