PONDER REPLIES TO E. L. M’KEON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18149, 7 May 1927, Page 5

PONDER REPLIES TO E. L. M’KEON.

STATEMENT WAS INACCURATE, HE SAYS. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, May 7. A sensational element has been introduced into the controversy over the New Zealand League team's tour, arising out of the statements made by Mr K. L. M’Keon, the Canterbury delegate in Christchurch. Mr G. 11. Ponder, one of the joint managers of the tour, stated last night that he felt impelled in self-defence to reply to the allegations that had been made. Statements in support of the manager’s control of the tour are also made by members of the team, who were interviewed last night. “I am disappointed and surprised with Mr M'Keon breaking faith with the New Zealand Council,” said Mr Ponder. “As all the inquiries were held in committee it is therefore not surprising that his remarks are inaccurate and in fact could almost be termed slanderous.” I have attempted at I all times to keep faith with the wish of the majority of the New Zealand Council. T feel that I have now my back to the wall and must therefore, in my own personal interest, make a statement, for Mr M'Keon's accusations that I thought that a Sunday School class on a picnic was on the same place as a team of footballers is ludicrous in the extreme. For one thing the question was never asked. Anyhow, be they Sunday school children or virile footballers, the least that could be expected of them was to play the game in the best interests of New’ Zealand and the good name of Rugby League footballers.”