QUALITY OF ALL BLACKS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 5

QUALITY OF ALL BLACKS

MATCHES AGAINST BRITISH. REVIEW OF THE RECENT TOUR. “The All Black team of last year deserves more than passing mention,” stated Dr. G. J. Adams, president, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union. ‘‘ln the first place it is worthy of our heartiest congratulations for its meritorious victories over the British team, and no little credit is due to the leadership of Mr. C. G. Porter, its popular captain, who has so very ably led our team in many strenuous matches, and who, it is to be regretted, has now retired from active football. “Much criticism was aimed at our team and its selectors, particularly in the early phases, but it must be agreed that they upheld the traditions of New Zealand football well, most of the adverse criticism they were subjected to being the result of failure to assess the value of the team that was opposinig ours; and in tjiis respect our team’s victories against such a strong combination as the British team speak for themselves in support of the fact that last year’s All Blacks will rank amongst the best of our teams of the past. “The profits of the British tour have far exceeded the estimates of the most optimistic, and from the point of view of the N.Z.R.F.U. must have given the utmost satisfaction. Whilst there is not the least doubt that the funds of the N.Z.R.F.U. have been considerably augmented by the tour, and those of the four centres have been materially enhanced, most, if not all of the country unions have suffered, directly or indirectly, in consequence thereof, the public having followed the performances of the British team so closely on the field and on the air as to reduce the attendances at club and representative matches, and thereby affect, and in some instances seriously em'bairass, their finances. < “The accumulated funds of the N.Z.R.F.U. are in such a satisfactory state at present that I have not the least doubt that the allocation of the profits of the British tour will demand earnest attention and consideration, and whilst considering the main necessity for the allocation of a big part of it for the provision of grounds in various parts of the Dominion where they are most required, I hope that sight will not be lost of the hardships suffered , by many country unions as the result of ‘last season’s losses, which can be ill-afforded with the poor financial prospects in front of them this coming season (partly reactionary, and partly the result of the universal demand for personal economy throughout the Dominion), and that a certain amount will be set aside to assist country unions, none of whom Tad anything like the profits of the four centres, and some of whom have been reduced to a i more or less unfinancial state.”