FOOTBALL TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23052, 1 June 1938, Page 15

FOOTBALL TOUR

RUGBY league team departure postponed ' PLAYERS LEAVE TO-DAY CIVIC FAREWELL HELD Offing' to the Niagara being delayed, the New Zealand Rugby League team •which was to have left yesterday for a five weeks' tour of Australia, will now depart at 3 o'clock this afternoon. A civic farewell was tendered to tho players at the Town Hall yesterday by the' Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis. Among those present wero Mr. J. A. Leo, M.P., Messrs. J. A. Redwood, manager, W 0. Carlaw, assistant manager, and A. T. McClymont, coach of the team; g Wilson, vice-president of tho New Zealand Rugby League, G. Grey Campbell, chairman of the management committee, and I. Culpau, secretary of tho Auckland Rugby League, and H. C. Cable, representing tho control board of the Auckland Football Association. Telegrams were read from tho Prime Minister, tho Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, snd the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of " Internal Affairs, wishing tho team every ■ success. "It f£ves nio great pleasure on behalf of the citizens and Corporation of Auckland to extend to the members of tho New Zealand Rugby League team on tho occasion of their depart- / ure to Australia for a five weeks' tour best wishes for a successful trip and record and a safe return to their home- J land," said tho Mayor. "Tho team is not only representing tho best athletes in the Dominion in tho branch of Rxigby League football, but tho players are also messengers of goodwill between Jsew Zealand and Australia. I am advised that the team measures up to tho best standard of previous combinations sent overseas." Sir Ernest said that ho was glad to gee in the ranks of tho team some of the finest representatives of the Maori race. He offered his special congratulations to McNcight, tho captain, and all hoped that he would lead the team to victory. "Bon Voyage and Kia Ora," concluded the Mayor. Fighting for Recognition -Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P., said that for years' the Rugby League codo in New . Zealand had been fighting for greater recognition. While the code had many sterling footballers, the field was not wide enough to choose from to give an opportunity of getting players who would eventually be capable of defeating international combinations. For years they had attempted to build up the code, and, gradually, thanks to sterling administration and the recruiting of large numbers of splendid players, they had reached a stage at which lie believed New Zealand could hold its - own with Australia. He felt sure the team would do credit not only as football players, but as sterling types of New Zealand manhood. All good wishes went with them on the playing fields of Australia. On behalf of the board of control of tbe Auckland Football Association, Mr. H, C. Cable extended his best wishes for the success of the team. He said that the relations between the Soccer and Rugby Leagtie codes were _ very happy, and referred to tho generosity of the Auckland Rugby League in placing Carlaiv Park at the disposal of Soccer officials for the t'est match against the English team Idst season. New Trail Laid "A new trail is being laid by the 'New Zealand Rugby League on this occasion," said Mr. H. Wilson,, vicepresident. "I hope that before long a New Zealand team will again be sent to England and France." t Mr. J. A. Redwood said that he hoped the team would Be a credit to the Dominion, both as footballers and as New Zealanders. He was pleased to see that there wero several representatives of the Maori race in tho team, as the Maoris had earned world-wide reputations as sportsmen and gentlemen. He hoped that when the New Zealand Rugby Union team commenced its tour of Australia later it would find that the Rugby League team had whetted tho appetite of tho Australian public for more New Zealand representative ' football.

The captain of the team, Mr. W. M. McNeight, thanked .the Mayor for his farewell message, and all others for their good wishes. He was suro the players would do their best both on and of the field. The New Zealand players were the guests of Messrs. George Court and Sons, Limited, at morning tea yesterday. A silver fern and kiwi were presented to the directors of the firm on behalf of the players. Later in the afternoon the team indulged in training at Carlaw Park, under the tuition of Messrs. A. T. McClymont and R. Banham, the Auckland player-coach.