TALK OF PAYMENT TO SPRINGBOKS

Southland Times, Issue 23437, 18 February 1938, Page 15

TALK OF PAYMENT TO SPRINGBOKS

“GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED” TEAM Forgetful that Christmas is a time of good-will to all men several loftyminded ‘‘old school ties” of the Rugby football world in England endeavoured during the festive season to make a case against the South African team, which will be playing home matches with a British side next summer. The news which has upset the “0.5. T. is that six of South Africa’s team who recently returned from a tour of Australia and New Zealand, were on full pay while they were away. The men are civil servants. One of the six, pleased with his trip, made a speech of thanks recently, saying how much he and his fellow-play-ers appreciated the action of the Government in granting them full-pay during their absence. Now it is well known that the English Rugby Union does not countenance payment of compensation for playing, nor the payment of broken time, and it is on this score that those whose principles have been offended are alleging that the South Africans who were paid have broken “the code.” One protester has asked:— “What difference is there between the South African footballers and the professional footballers and the professional Australian Rugby League team now in England?" A world of difference, one should say. The Rugby League side are paid for playing; the others are not. It is surely nobody’s business if an amateur chosen for a foreign tour is told by his employer on applying for leave that he need not worry about his salary—it will be paid him just the same. And in the case of the South Africans it does not alter the agreement that their employers happen to be the Government. Talk of a "Government subsidized team” is ridiculous.