THE WALLACE TESTIMONIAL.

NZ Truth, Issue 160, 11 July 1908, Page 4

THE WALLACE TESTIMONIAL.

There is every reason to believe New Zealand will respond liberilly to the Wallace ; Testimonial ; Fund. "And it is only riffht that they should. Football has been a Rreat advertisement for New Zealand j and no name on the huge list of Rugby heroes is more entitled to be honored than that of Wallace,, and. therefore, now that his playing days are over it is only fitting that the lovers of the came he has served so well should recognise his. services m a substantial manner. A protest was ntade some time ago by a prominent public man against the raiisimff of testa-: m-onial funds' for amateur athletics, and the point was raised that although the athlete makes sport for the public the public have to pay to see the sport, just ; the same as they do to see a theatrical company's performja-nce or a horse race. This is undeniable, and although the public has subscribed its shillings m thousands to witness Wallace and his fellows play it must be remembered that Wallace received none of the coin. The New Zealand Union appropriated the lion's share of that, and, of course, its needs are far greater than Wallace's, therefore the public must subscribe towards the Wallace Testimonial. That/ they will do so liberally and willingly is beyond doubt.