AN OLD PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1935, Page 12

AN OLD PROBLEM

Amateurism In Cricket

Those' people who discuss so energetically the question of amateurism in cricket should not think that it is a problem of recent date. As a matter Of fact, it was a burning question in several periods of last century. In his book, “World of Cricket,” which covers the period of 1856 to 1895, F. J. Ironside notes that the M.C.C. tried in those days to settle it. It is recorded that the M.C.C. decided on a rule . which would put an end to a good deal of unpleasantness upon the subject of "sham amateurs.” “A practice has grown up,” it says, "whereby a few celebrated players, while still playing as ‘Gentlemen,’ have received sums of money far in excess cf the amounts which the best professionals could earn.

"This not unnaturally gave rise to great bitterness not only among amateurs proper, who felt that these men held a false position, but among the professionals, who rightly held that in one match at least—Gentlemen against Players—those who receive payment should play on their side. “It is now enacted “that no Gentleman ought to make a profit by his services on the cricket field,’ and that anyone who does so cannot take part on the side of the Gentlemen against the Players at Lord’s. Assistance in the shape of expenses actually out of pocket, may be given and accepted without disqualification.” .That was enacted 40 years ago and still the argument goes on.