THE BOWLING TOURNAMENT AND ECONOMIC WASTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17217, 21 January 1918, Page 6

THE BOWLING TOURNAMENT AND ECONOMIC WASTE.

Sir, —Ono cannot but be surprised that a large body of presumably sensible men, most of whom have reached an age when commonsense assorts itsalf, should indulgo at the present time, when the Empire ia called upon to put forth its utmost strength, in a wasteful carnival extending- over more than a fortnight. The economic waste is quito shocking. Just think of what is involved! We have live rinks from Auckland, two from Taranaki, two from Nelson, and one from Gisborne —ten in all, or 40 men. It is qtiito safe to assume that the cost of travelling, exuenses, etc., will run each man into £20, or a total of £800. Wo have 14 from Wellington, one from Blenheim, and ono from Hokitika—l6 in all, ot 64 men. Their expenses will run into quite £15 per. mm, or a total of £960. Wo havo 17 rinks from Christchureh, one from Timaru, one from Oaniaru, three from Invercargill. one from Gore, and ono from Bluff. Their travelling and expenses will run into, say, £7 per man, or £662 in all. Then wo havo 50 rinks from Dunedin and district, or 120 men. Supposing we put their expenses at £3 per man, we havo £563. Wo thus havo £2782 wasted from an economic point of view in a presumed elderly people's carnival. Ivor i& this all. Let us assume that the loss of wages or reduced output is equivalent to £5 r>er week for the fortnight—it will mean three woeks for some. Wo thus have £5200 for the 320 men engaged, or a grand total of £5982 economic waste. , But the waste does not end here. Tito entry fees, I understand, are £4 for rinks, £2 for pairs, and £1 for singles. This makes a total of £1100. No prizes are given, only certificates, but. it is safe to say tliat when from the £1100 there are deducted the secretary's salary (mado & charge for the first time against the tournament), the cost of the framed! certifieateß, luncheons to players, advertising, etc.; tbora may remain £800 for patriotic purposes* No doubt the appeal mado to bowlers generally in Otago will realise a handsome, sum, but thia has rcailv nothing to do with tho economic waste, by those engaged in the tournament or those controlling it The whole thing is a reflection upon the exeat*. tivo which devised tho carnival and indirectly on bowlers generally, many at whom fee] keenly tho eallonsnera displayed at this time of peril.—l am, etc.. Student ov Economics.