RATHER WARM!

NZ Truth, Issue 868, 15 July 1922, Page 8

RATHER WARM!

Soccer Visitors And Their Perks

AUSSIES HOLD THEIR HANDS OUT

TO THE N.Z.F.A.

Demands Which Caused Surprise.

A few weeks ago the Australian Soccer team arryied In Wellington . to undertake its tour of New Zealand. It has played its rratches, admits it has had" -a pretty good time, but, if all "Truth" hears i<* correct,. it has maJe the N.Z.F.A. do a think. No one can, accuse the New Zealand Soccer authorities of being anything but the best of sports and the most considerate of hosts. Wlhile the Aussies were here they were looked after m a manner that did their Maoriland friends the greatest of credit. Every want of the visitors was attended to and a few fancy trimmings that haTdly may be called necessaries were cheerfully provided. The Soccer control m New Zealand is far from a wealthy organisation, but it spared nothing to maice the tour a success, and to ensure the comfort of the visiting players. In fact, it Is suspected that the tour cost some of the Wellington' workers for the welfare of the game quite a few shillings out of their own pockets.

In. the circumstances, it is not surprising that certa in demands of some of our visitors have caused considerable indignation among the membt-Ts of the ruling body m New Zealand, it is said that at first the. demands were received with irild surprise, but that toy the time the tour closed — well, the surprise turned to something stronger.

One of the first of the demands to be received, it is. understood, was that the New Zealand Association should foot the bill contracted by one of the Australian team who fell ill. He was not injured on the field of play, bii.t lie sent along his account, amounting to a little under £20. Various other surprises were m store for the Soccer heads, and one of them came m respect of the Aussies' northern tour. It seems that whils the Australians weie m the Auckland district playing their matches there and working up to the third Test they were provided with a trip m. the- southern end of the Auckland. province. This took them- part of the way to Botorua. " The visitors wanted to, see the thermal regions, so they went on all .the way to Rotorua.. When, they got there, ' it: Is said, they got busy , and secured the round trip free/ arid also the use of brio of the baths .and the •services of the attenCr ant. This left thefn with a smalt portion, of their return fare to find out of their own pockets, and even this they ■have asked the New Zealand Association to pay for. The lid was put on the whole business wl\en a humble roquest was received the other day that the New Zealand Association should allow the tourists the small sum of £10 eadh to , cover out of pocket expenses. These out of pocket expenses were said to be made. up of tips and other costs said to have' 'been incurred In; : the course .of their" tour. ..: ' * '■'■ .: , :

This- £10 per. man xjexjuest knocked the Maorilanders; back : with a thud. The general opinion is that' the N.Z. F.A-.is jiot going to .unbuttor jeans and peel any frogskins off its wad' '!t>r the Ausgies— rat least, #ot so you'd notice it.- .'.. . •"■■.- .