NOTES AND COMMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 19 November 1924, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

“ Not Quite Nice” I “The tactics of the New Zealanders were not quite nice, especially towards the end, when they charged like cavalry though a defenceless, undisciplined 'mob.'’ In these words ono of the English critics describes the concluding stages of the match the All Blacks played against the muchvaunted team representing London Counties. So overwhelming then was the superiority of the New- Zealanders that the team gave the impression of well-drilled cavalry opposed to a defenceless undisciplined mob! Before this test of strength in London, supporters of the Kugby game in and around London were full of lmnc that

lhoy had the material to stop the conquering career of tlie Ail Blacks. Last mouth most of the London newspapers reviewed the position, and many oi them were ot the opinion that where M ales was putting its faith in “steamroller'’ forwards, -London would put its faith in those younger players who had received their training at some rt England’s most famous public schools. It was generally contended that Rugby in London this season had reached a very high mark, not by tiiu pre-eminence of one or two clubs but by the generally levelling-up of ail the i clubs. “Nineteen years ago,’’ wrote Major L. R. Tosswili, the English exinterhational, in tlie “Daily Mail,’’ “the first All Blacks team gave British Rugby: a thorough waking up. The lessons they taught us then luivo borne fruit in a vast improvement in c-lub and county play ; their successors now touring this country must he viewing the results with mixed leelings. In no part of. the country ha> this advance been more marked tnan in the London clubs.” This comment was not based on mere bias—nor was the wish father to the thought. Unquestionably:, an amazing plethora of Kiigiiy talent is available, in London. There are English, Irish, 'Scottish and Welsh internationals, Olympic runners who dori the jersey, Oxford and Cambridge Rugby: “Blues,” at least a doze,. South Africans of international standard, each anxious to prove his metal against the New Zealanders, brilliant footballers from all parts of Britain attached to medical staffs of London’s great hospitals, a “galaxy of brilliant play'ers,” among the backs, and “dozens of iorwards,” so the critics said,- “of the type which has been worrying the AH Blacks in their earlier matches.” Moreover, the London Counties team would be led by W. W. Wakefield, captain of the English international team, whose side was unbeaten in the international tests last year. Of the. British international team which recently toured South Africa five outstanding players would be available, including CoveSmith and Blachiston, who are regarded as two of England's best forwards. The “close shave” against Cambridge University so emboldened tiie critibs as to prompt them to forecast the probable defeat of the New Zealanders. There was, of course, some foundation for this confidence, since tlie LoVdon side was being licked ihto shape by such .men as W. W. Wakefield and A. D. Stoop, both of' whom know how to niake up arid prepare a side. Doubtless the prognostications of the critics were baseu On the opinion given by at least one prominent English Rugby enthusiast) that the only hope’ of' success against the All Blacks is for a hefty set of forwards with good supporting backs to bo fielded against the Neiy Zealanders on a wet day. London Counties produced a set of forward)* the critics claimed could hold the all-conquering All Black pack; the brilliance of the Londoners’ rearguard players was un,questioned; the turf was sodden; the crilies ventured to pin their faith in the London Counties to make Saturday a Waterloo for the All Blacks. But what a surprise! The. New Zealanders overwhelmed the pride of London’s Rugby 7 champions, and left the field victorious by 31. points to six. In the words of the chagrined critics it was “not quite nice” of the visitors to win 1 so . decisively . and convincingly, while it was hardly playing the game to possess such wonderful skill,,, stamina and combination, as to make London’s football giants'appear like a “defenceless undisciplined mob.” going down before charging cavalry: This was really too much for the English critic! On Friday tlie London Comities team was considered redoubtable enough to lower the colours of the all-conquering All Blacks. Bn Saturday, the Londoners’ were reduced to a defenceless undisciplined mob! It was “not quite nice” of the visitors to do such a thing. Hence the angry outbursts of the critics, which are equally’ offensive and unfair in their references to both sides.

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“Lest We Forget”: Very general endorsement will be accorued the mild protest officially voiced by the South Canterbury Unturned Soldiers’ Association at the apathy shown in some quarters in connection with the ooservauce ot Armistice Day. Lite gallant New Zealanders who 1 ought and ieil on the blood-stained shell-furrowed steeps ot wild GaiiipoJi, and the succeeding legions who helped llmg back the Kaiser’s barbaric hordes in the decisive struggles 011 the Western Trout, are not the men to seek special recognition of their heroic services. But the .Returned Soldiers’ Associate, quite properly insists that the natiou must not l'orget the supremo sacrifice of the men who went away smiling and came not home again. Thousands died that future generations may have peace and hope. Armistice Day then serves not to provide an occasion for glorying in war, but is regarded a sacred day to emphasise the horrors of war and the benefits of honourable peace. It must be said of the great bulk of the people, however, that they join in spirit the silent tribute to the nation’s honoured dead, which lias become the impressive feature c f Armistice Day. In the early years lollowing the cessation of hostilities, we felt with the poet that

the crippled, tardy-gaited night. Who, like a foul and ugly witch dotli limp So tediously away

had left ail indelible impression upon tlie hearts of ail classes oi the splendid people who unitedly looked with tearless eyes beyond the shadow of a world at strife. Bub with the passing of the night of sacrifice and sorrow, there are noticeable, in the new bom days of security and prosperity, unmistakable signs of forgetfulness on the part of sonie of our citizens; not we hasten to remark, forgetful ot the dead, but a sad lack of appreciation of the significance of Armistice Day and the psychological and moral value of its moments of silence, the gallant crusaders who accepted the challenge of arrogant Prussia, became a knightly army-—not an army ol conquest that expected to come home in chariots with war captives chained to the wheels—hut an army composed of bravo sons from New Zealand who joined in ilie struggle to live and die for the fine fruits of a lofty ideal:.sir.

and a puiificd national morality, as john Oxeuhaiu wrote of tho harvest of nobler doing and of loitier hope—an all-embracing and enduring peace—that was to come from the dread sowing of the war : A Bond of States, a Pact of Peoples, based— On no caprice of royal whim, but on Foundation mightier than tne mightiest throne— The Well-Considered Will of All the Lauds. Therewitn, —a simpler, purer, larger life, Unhampered - by the dread of war s alarms; A life attuned to closer touch with Thee, . . And golden-threaded with thy Charity;— A Sweeter Earth,—a Nearer Heaven, —a World . As emulous in P/.ac-e as once in >' ar, And striving ever upward towards I lie So, once again, through Death shall come New Life, And out of Darkt-.ss, Light. No reminder is needed by’ the majority of our citizens to ensure dignified recognition of Armistice Day’ as the occasion for,.national consecration it. the work remaining to be accomplished in the cause for which the men who fell ill the war gave the fill! measure of their sr/trifice. But we tit, feel with the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association that theie is a danger of a perilous apathy’ defeating the sa creel objective or Armistice Day.. Hence our civil and educational authorities should not fail to accept Armistice Day as the occasion of the year for a renewal of vows by every worthy member of the community to stimulate all virtuous influences that will help the new-born earth roll sweeter and wiser through the uncertain days ahead.