THE COLOUR LINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18351, 15 September 1921, Page 5

THE COLOUR LINE

MR BENNETT’S DENIAL. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 14. Mr Bennett, manager of the Springboks, has sent the following message in response to telegrams of protest from the Maoris:— Thanks for telegram. You should not take notice of unauthorised newspaper talk. Wo are not responsible for the alleged cable, which does not in any way represent our views. Regret you should nave telegraphed in such an insulting strain without making proper inquiry. Seen to-night, Mr Bennett said: “That is our position. We have never expressed any views like this, and the cable did not represent our feelings. When it was brought to the notice of the team to-day, they regretted the fact that such a cable had been sent, and were very annoyed about it. No pressure had been brought on me to play a match against the Maoris, and we never at any time objected to play them. We appreciate the way the Maoris treated us, and have most pleasing recollections of our stay amongst them. I have very good authority for saying that the cable did not appear in the South African papers.”