WELL RECEIVED

Southland Times, Issue 21384, 4 May 1931, Page 7

WELL RECEIVED

NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS. LUNCHEON IN LONDON. (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, May 1. A notable reception was given the New Zealand cricketers at the British Sportsmen’s Club luncheon at the Savoy Hotel to-day. Lord Harris presided, while others present included Earl Jellicoe, Viscount Plumer, the Secretary of State for the Dominions (the Hon. J. H. Thomas), Sir Kynaaton Studd, Sir Thomas Wilford, Sir Malcolm Campbell, A. T. Chapman, W. W. Wakefield and other prominent personalities in all branches of British sport. In proposing the toast of the visitors, the chairman said New Zealand had recently suffered a terrible catastrophe, but it had faced it with the utmost courage and Britain's admiration was added to the welcome. The previous team’s play encouraged the belief that England had foemen worthy of her steel. “I wish the team all the success they deserve and they deserve a good deal,” he said. Mr Thomas said he was delighted to express a welcome on behalf of the Government. There was nobody more determined to maintain the best traditions of the British race than the New Zealand citizen. Returning thanks, Mr T. C. Lowry, the team’s captain, said the difficulties of financing the tour had been overcome entirely through the enthusiasm of New Zealand sportsmen and the royal welcome was the prologue to what would be an enjoyable tour.

Mr Chapman said if the visitors won the Test it would do an immense amount of good for cricket. All the members of the team practised at Lord’s this afternoon, the players generally being content to loosen up. Mr Lowry raised laughter by announcing that half the funds to send the team abroad had resulted from a lottery, otherwise they could not have come.