"ENLIST-OR GET OUT!"

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 568, 4 December 1915, Page 2

"ENLIST-OR GET OUT!"

CRICKET AND PATRIOTISM NON-VOLUriTEERS LEFT OUT OF TEAMS. : The trouble which has been brewing in Christchurch lately for cricketers who are eligible for enlistment but who have not -volunteered for active service has come to a head. Two of the district cricket clubs have taken drastic action in the matter. As j a result, a number of men who have not shown reason for their not having volunteered have been excluded from selection for their club's matches. ' SYDENHAM CLUB MEETS. A ARRIVED AT. \ A meeting of members of the Syd-': enham Cricket Club, convened by the club captain, Mr W. Robson, was lieTd last evening. Mr Robson stated that he had called the meeting owing to having received a letter from Mr W. H. Winsor, to the following effect:— "Christchurch, December 2, 1915, Mr W. Robson, club captain, Sydenham Cricket Club, dear Sir,—Considering the present state of recruiting in Christchurch, and recognising the duty of every loyal citizen to do his utmost to help the cause along, % would respectfully ask you to convene a meeting of. the club or com'mittee, whichever you think fit, on Friday, evening, December 3, to dis- . icuss the matter. Personally, I must j refuse to take jiart in matches with players of military age eligible for enlistment, who have not yet volunteered for active service. I am sure Vou will be with me, sir, in considering, firstly, the duty we owe,to our* country* and, secondly, the duty wei owe the good name and fame of the Sydenham Cricket Club. : lam not out to point the way for other clubs, and will resent their interference 'with us, as I believe this is a matter "for each club to work out its own Salvation. . Yours respectfully.— (Signed), W. H. Winsor/' ' Mr Robson stated that he ; was entirely in agreement with the tone of the letter, and was very glad that it had come up, as he had heard that another club intended to move in the matter.

Mr Winsor said that the matter had been running in his mind for some time, and he considered it was jfime for the Sydenham Club to take 'the initiative in this matter, and to Effectively set" its house in order. He had not read a letter referred to in the club captain's remarks, and, in any case, would resent any criticism of the Sydenham Club's conduct by an outside body which was plainly not cognisant of any extenuating circumstance which might be allowed to certain Sydenham'•■play« i ers. The fact remained that Sydenham had certain players eligible for enlistment pldyingin'twoof its teams* The speaker'refused to play - with ihem any longer unless they showed sufficient reason for not doing their very obvious duty. He strongly urged any present to. take up their stand for the sake of themselves and their country. He was sure

that the stuff in these men was as good as in any who had already enilisted. It was meet that the premier Iciub in Canterbury should be the jflrst to take up a stand and refuse to Splay eligible men. i Mr W. R. Patrick stated that he ihad seen several members of the 'committee, and he was very pleased that action had been already taken from inside the club. He heartily endorsed the chairman's remarks. Mr J. Gray, captain of the first

grade team, said that several single -v members of his team were debarred for several reasons from; joining the colours, but ; he agreed that they should be called upon to declare those reasons or bg debarred -from participation in matches, although he considered the notice was very short. Mr G. C. Wilson agreed that action should be taken at once. Mr C. Ayling moved, after several other members had spoken:—"That any member of eligible age for enlistment shall be left out of any team, unless he gives sufficient rea-

sons for not enlisting." This was seconded by Mr F. ;Woods, and carried unanimously. r ; A list of single members of military age disclosed 14' names. Of these, there were only five who had not enlisted or had gopd reasons for not joining immediately. \ Mr AVinsor congratulated the club on taking this drastic step, and referred to the necessity bf keeping the game going. He quoted a recruiitig speech by Dr McNah, in which Dr McNab stated that "the discipline gained on the cricket and football fields greatly aided in the turning out of an efficient soldier."

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS.

ST. ALBANS AND SYDENHAM ACT. The' St. Albans Club also held a meeting last evening, and agreed that it should not interfere with any other clubs, but should continue to keep its own house in order. A resolution which was passed is set out in a letter, published below, from the secretary of the club. The St. Albans Club had believed that it had not any men eligible for enlistment left playing cricket. It discovered, lasf evening, that amongst its players were two unmarried men, without dependents, who have not actually volunteered. The players, who were in. the club's first grade team, have been left out of the team until they can show good reason for their not volunteering. It is reported that the Sydenham Club has also "taken stock" of its

membership, and has discovered several young men who have not volunteered, and who are believed to be eligible for enlistment. The club is calling upon these players to show reasons for their non-fulfil-ment of their obligations to their country. Five members of the club's first grade team have been dropped from the club's matches. Another member of the team, who was called upon for reasons, has satisfied the committee that he has sound reasons for not enlisting. "NOT-WANTED." To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir,—ln this morning's issue of "The Press," under the heading of "Not Wanted," there appears the following:—"Mr J. S. Barrett, of St. Albans Club, stated that, in view of the very proper action taken by the Sydenham Club, his club would play the match with Sydenham set down for this afternoon." I might state that Mr J. S; Barrett has no authority whatever for thus speaking on behalf of the St. Albans District Cricket Club, and, further, the letter which appeared in your issue of the 3rd inst. was not in any way dictated by my club. This explanation is due to Sydenham,-to"remove" any impression that the'St. Albans Club should be guilty of such bad taste as to interfere in the management of a kindred club's concern. The committee of the St. Albans Club have given the question of allowing men eligible for service to play with the club mature consideration, and our roll of honour andi membership list show that every member capable of serving is doing his duty. In this connection the match with Sydenham was" discussed by my committee, and it was unanimously decided that the St. Albans Cricket: Club have full cohndence in the patriotism of the Sydenham Club, and that the executive of the latter club will take what action they deem necessary to call shirkers to account.—l am, etc., on behalf of I the St. Albans District C.C., I C. S. THOMPSON, Hon. Secretary.

[We heartily endorse the view which the St. Albans Club takes of this delicate matter. No one club-has a right even to suggest what another club shall do in respect to bringing its members to a full sense of their military responsibilities.—Ed, The Sun.]