The Anglo-Welsh Footballers.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3849, 1 August 1908, Page 2

The Anglo-Welsh Footballers.

AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW. ON FOOTBALL AND OTHER THINGS. MR GEORGE HARNETT SPEAKS. Mr George Harnett, manager of the British football team, was a busy man this morning, but a Star reporter contrived to squeeze a few minutes out of it for publication purposes. "You will, doubtless, not be surprised, Mr Harnett, to find an interviewer dogging your heels, but we cannot let you return to the Old Country without obtaining a few of your impressions," he invited tentatively, and Mr Harnett-gracefully resigned to ihe inevitable. "Well, generally speaking, I have been very much impressed with the prosperity of New Zealand; with the beauty of its country, the hospitality of your people, and the enthusiasm displayed for sport, particularly in the direction of Rugby football," the genial manager remarked, and then the interviewer switched on serious"Have you had an opportunity of judging the effect of our experimental legislation so far as the labour classes are concerned?" was the first query. "As far as one can judge, it is a

I perfect paradise for the working man j at present; whether the future will I justify all your experimental legisla- . i lion is somewhat doubtful. The j theory of compulsory arbitration to i avert the dislocation of industrial life j is very attractive, but I fear it is j dealing with the fundamental prin- \ ' ciple involving the right to strike, that is somewhat dangerous to labour. But I do not wish to speak with ■ strong conviction on this most intrii cate subject." "With respect to social condi- , tions," he cntinued, "I have been f very much struck with the healthy appearance of the children of the Dominion ; and 1 am very much impressed and pleased with the tendency of the young men to settle in the country instead of rushing the towns. I have also been surprised at the high price . ruling for land, which seems, ' strangely enough, to be dearer here ! than at Home. I am, of course, rei j ferring to rural land." ■ | "I suppose that you and your team i have experienced a comfortable time . during your tour of New Zealand?" j "Generally speaking, very comfort- ' abe in the hotels, except ii: one or ' ' two instances. There was one thing, ' . however, that struck us very much, ' ! and that was the difference between ' | the hotels in the prohibited districts ' j wiht those where license rules. The ! i comparison is all in favour of the li'.l censed places. Notably was this the ' ' case in Invcrcargill, where we were ! ' surprised to find that no licensed 1 j houses existed—they were all temper- ' I ancc boarding houses." , I "So your experiences varied, Mr i Harnett?" "Yes; and some of them were hu- ' • mourousiy strange. I In Invercargill, for instance, we

could get no refreshments ourselves, but on the Wednesday morning of our arrival I saw drunken men at nine o'clock in the streets, which astonished inc immensely; and later, in the evening', I saw more drunken people in Invercargill than I have seen in any other city of the Dominion. This seems to show that where there is No-License liquor can be obtained, and as it has to be obtained on the sly, it is doubtless of the worst description. From undoubted sources 1 learnt that drinking in private houses down there was daily on the increase. This leads to the same evil as the grocers' licenses do in England. Personally. I may say that I have always taken a glass of beer, but in strict moderation. The locker system for controlling liquor seems to me to be another very undesirable method of dealing with alcoholic refreshment. In fact, the whole thing seems to be too full of deceit and fraud to appeal to those who desire to see a nation built up of strong, clean characters." "From your experience of Invercargill, you would not then recommend any other place in the Dominion to follow its example?" "In the best interests of the community, most assuredly not." "Is there any chance of bringing your team again to New Zealand?" "Probably not, as I am nearing middle-age, and shall find the attractions of domesticity too great. There is a possibility I may buy land and settle out here, as I have been very much attracted with the climate and surroundings. I have also been very much impressed with the loyalty of the New Zealanders to the Sovereign, and this also applies equally to the Maori people." "And now, how about our national game, Mr Harnett? Having seen us in it throughout the length of the land, what impression of us in it have you collected?" "Well, to start with, it is ycur religion—or, shall I say, one of your chief religions. For so it has struck me after touring the color.y. The whole soul of New Zealand, young and old, seems centred round that bit of inflated leather when it gets going. The enthusiasm for football, both on the part of the man in the jersey and the man, woman, and child who stand around to see him play, is simply immense." "And your opinion of our play?" "To be frank, there is a tendency to roughness; but that should be dealt with by the strong hand. And, certainly," added Mr Harnett, with a reminiscent laugh, "that wing-for-ward is nothing but an obstruction in some districts, and is always offside."—Auckland Star, 25th July.