A TARNISHED UNIFORM.

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 47, 10 August 1907, Page 2

A TARNISHED UNIFORM.

Professional "All-Blacks."

WHILE no definite or official announcement has been made by , the persons responsible for tk« formation of the New Zealand professional football team, it has been announced, presumably on good authority, that the members^ this team are to be uniformed in w§ same colours as were worn by the amateur team which toured Great Britain in the 1905-6 season. As this statement has not been denied, it may be assumed that it is correct. This is regrettable in view of the fact that it must inevitably lead to misconception in the minds of the people at Home. The professional team will be looked upon as representative of the colony, whereas, in reality, it is only representative of that part of the population which is interesting itself in the game from mercenary motives.

Nor does it appear clear that the professional team has any right to wear the black uniform. Legally, there may be nothing to prevent it, but morally it is not right that they should do so. The amateur All- Blacks were Bent out under the auspices of the New Zealand Kugby Union to play the game for its own sake, arid not for what they could make out of it. The uniform is therefore the official uniform as prescribed by the New Zealand Rngby Union. The Horn& public, with

this knowledge in, their minds, .will naturally come to the conclusion that the professional team is the successor to the former amateur combination. And if, as has been stated, the professionals are going to call themselves " All-Blacks," the false impression will become more fijrmly rooted in the public mind.

There is no reason why a man should not become a professional if he desires to do so. But there is every reason why he should not cause an impression to arise elsewhere that the country to which he belongs haß subscribed to the doctrine of professionalism. This is a matter which afiects the good name of the colony so far as sport is concerned, and as such it should not be lightly looked upon. We who are on the spot know that this professional football project is looked upon askance by the vast majprity of the people, but those who live 16,000 miles away cannot be expected to be so well informed.

The reticence and secrecy which has been observed throughout by the originators of the project tends to prove that the said originators are not very proud of their work. Nobody could prevent them from organising a professional team, and the only reason that can be assigned for the observance of such secrecy is that the men who are going away with the team are reluctant to have their names made public. The reason for that> reluctance may easily be inferred Vet these are the men who, according to all accounts, propose to advertise themselves at Home by means of the now familiar all-black, uniform. These are the men who propose to use the silver fern leaf as their emblem. It is high time that the New Zealand Kugby Union adopted another uniform.

If these professionals are bent on adopting the all-black colours and the all-black name, there is nothing, so so far as we can see, to prevent them from doing so. But it would have shown better taste on their part had they not do^e so. Possibly, however, it is idle to look for good taste in that direction. The professional team is out after money, and the " All- Black" title should prove a good draw. So far as the feelings of other people are concerned, that, of course, is a mere detail. So long as the professionals can fill their pockets by making a trade of what ought to be a game, they need care nothing for the opinions of those old-fashioned and foolish persons who prefer amateur sport to professionalism.