ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24672, 30 July 1941, Page 2

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

NO TOUR BY CHINESE TEAM (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 29. Disappointment at the attitude of the New Zealand Football Association Council encouraging the prospective tour by a Chinese team was expressed in a letter received by the council at a meeting in Wellington to-night from the Wellington Football Association. The letter suggested that the argument of time lost by players being a national disservice in war conditions was inconsistent in view of. the council's approval of F.A. Trophy games. The full reservation of all seats for the English CUp final at Wembley Stadium was quoted, as well as a report of 75,000 attending the Eng-land-Scotland match. It was stated that other reports indicated there was much travelling in Britain to see games and it was also stated as the association's opinion that the country would suffer no material waste of time or production through a Chinese tour, and any tour, particularly where no financial responsibility would fall on the council, would make for the betterment of the game. In view of the council's previous decision against the tour the letter was received. It was stated that the Minister of External Affairs had been advised that the council would have liked to invite the Chinese team, but was of the opinion that a financial loss would result on a warperiod tour. :■''.