ADVICE TO BOYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24746, 20 November 1943, Page 8

ADVICE TO BOYS

THE YALUE OF BOXING FORMER WORLD CHAMPION "We Americans owe a great deal to England—to the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations, because of the traditions they have handed down to us." This was said by Commander J. J. (Gene) Tunney, of the United States Navy, former world professional boxing champion, during an address given to an audience of about 1500, including over 800 schoolboy boxers, at the Auckland Town Hall yesterday afternoon. An interesting episode at the gathering was the meeting between Commander Tunney and a bov named Tom Heeney, a second-cousin of the Tom Heeney who fought Commander Tunney for the world championship. "The traditions handed down in sports bring Americans and British together," said Commander Tunney. "Wherever we have our true American representatives of sports, we find they get 011 very well with the British. I must except my own country, but there is more sportsmanship in the British Commonwealth of Nations, per capita, than 111 any other nation," Enthusiastic Reception A very enthusiastic reception was given to the notable American when, accompanied by the Mayor, .Mr. ,1. A. C. A Hum, and several officers of the (Tnited States Navy, he arrived in the hall. On the stage were the president of the Auckland Boxing Association, .Mr. A. 15. Joplin, and representatives of kindred sports bodies and local bodies. Extending a welcome to Commander Tunney, the Mayor said it was a "red-letter day" for the boys. "The message I have is primarily for the young boxers of the Auckland schools, to point out to them the value of the grand sport they are learning," said the commander. "What we know about boxing we got from England in the first place. From there came the straight stance, with the left hand and left foot, out, the straight jab and the straight blow from the shoulder. That style is still good, and, although such things as weaving and slugging have been added, it is the style i employed and did best, with."

Need for Sportsmanship Saying that there was more to boxing than style, Commander Tunney maintained that the greatest skill was of no value if the possessor of it was not a sportsman, if he were a poor loser or an ungracious winner. Boxing developed spirit and courage and other qualities that went to make a good character. The superiority of the professional boxer over the amateur was attributed bv Commander Tunney to the hardships and drudgery of the training which the professional must endure and the sacrifices lie must make. To him the amateur. sport was the finest, because its finer fundamentals had not been spoiled by commercialism. Alter recounting some of his ring experiences, illustrating how valuable lessons could be learned from defeat, he then told the boys that, in addition to skill, _ courage and fortitude, they must train to increase their endurance. Three things must be "taboo" to all athletes —smoking, alcohol and late hours. "If you intend to bo champions. you must first beat yourselves." lie said. STRENGTH OF GERMANY NO EARLY DEFEAT LIKELY MELBOURNE, Nov. 1!) On the facts made public, there seemed to bo little justification for indulging in the fancy that Russia would over-run Germany in the next few months,", said Major-Genera! Dewing, commander of the United Kingdom Army liaison staff in Australia. "As yet," he added, "there are no reports of wholesale German surrenders and the number of German prisoners the Russians claim to have taken does not yet indicate any disintegration of the German armies."

Comparatively few people, lie said, believe thai air action alone could cause Germany to surrender unconditionally. Germany would collapse under tlio cumulative effect of many forms of attack. The Allied air bombardment from the United Kingdom was highly important, however, and should reach its maximum scale next year.

" We should not allow familiarity with the talk of an invasion of Europe to blind us to its difficulties," he concluded. "History holds no precedent for so vast a seaborne operation."

FOOD FROM AMERICA PERCENTAGES TO ALLIES LONDON. Nov. in Britain, Russia and other United Nations are to get II per cent of America's estimated food supplies during the next .12 months, said Mr. 11. F. Hendrickson, United States Director of Food Distribution. He explained that 4 per cent would go to Britain, 3} per cent to Russia and 3£ per cent to other United Nations and liberated areas. Mr. Hendrickson said it would not be possible for America to keep up her high civilian level of food consumption if it were not for the fact that Britain and the Allies were supplying American troops overseas with many of their requirements. DALMATIAN HOSTILITIES FIGHTING ROUND SPLIT LONDON. Nov. I!) Heavy fighting is in progress round Split on tho Dalmatian coast. The town was taken by the Germans at tho end of September after heavy fighting with tho Yugoslav National Army of Liberation. RIGHTS OF NATIONS (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, ..Nov. 18 "The German people must bo given tho right to go back to Fascism after the war if they want it," said Senator Gerald Nye, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, at a press conference in Chicago "Fascism essentially is not militaristic or aggressive. Every nation must retain the sovereign right to be able to declare war whenever Unpeople seo fit. American people ought to become more isolationist if this peace becomes the incubator of a new war." MAORI MISSION WORK (0.C.) HAMILTON, Friday A recommendation that the Methodist Conference should appoint a com-j mission to investigate tho whole qties-J lion of the work of the Church among | the Maoris was adopted by tho South Auckland Methodist Synod. It was stated that there was a painful inadequacy in the mission work of the Methodist Church. j