SPORT IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 62, 14 March 1942, Page 5

SPORT IN BRITAIN

A NEW POLICY WAR EFFORT THE MAIN CONCERN Rugby, March 12 ’ Details of a new Government policy ■ regarding • übiir entertainment wa; I given by the Home Secretary (Mr ■ Herbert Morrison i in the House o Commons. “The Government’s war I time po icy has been to permit then i to continue on a restricted basis in th* belief that, within reason, popular en b'rtainments act as a lubricant rathei than a brake on the war machine Limitations on attendance have beer imposed and entertainments which attract large crowds, such as hors€ and dog rat ing and football matches [have been mainly confined to days anc times least likely to affect essentia work. Special measures have alsc been taken to avoid additional bur|dens on transport services or the de- . n joing to or frorr | their place of duty. j “All forms of public entertainment have been the subject of immediate 'cessation should security cireum stances require it. Power to prohibit lor restr? ; public entertainments hai in The past been confined to imposing restrictions where they were necesI sary in minimising risk in cons? Jqucnce of war operations, but furihei i appreciable restrictions have been oti tair.eu by agreement with the co-V’ ol ! ling bodies of the various entertainI ments concerned. ’ ' M". Morrison expressed apprec.riior !of the helpful attitude oi these bodies and added that the Governme.it wa. taxing additional powers to provide of pubhc entc rt lui: ents whr'tc needed, to avoid interference : with the nationa* effort. Horse racing meetings had already been cut tc | about 20 percent, of the pre-wai I figure, and it was proposed further tc ■ ■ t to with a view to economy in the use o. public transport. Greyhound racing was to be restricted to one day a weefor each track and was to be per mitted only on Saturdays and pUbli. holidays. No new treks were to os allov.er* to be put into operation. Pro I; been reduced Io about 10 per cent, o; the pre-war figure, and the question of further restrictions arose mainly it respect of large spectacular events. Professional football had beer largely confined to Saturdays anc public holidays and local early closing days Local competitions had beei: ips of clubs ii order 1c avoid travelling. It was no; proposed Io apply any further restric ■ lions at present. The same remark applied, to theatres, cinemas, anc dancing. There remained the ques tion of large accumulations of cars ai spoils functions, which undoubtedly h:i-l been offensive to public feeling. The petroleum secretary had made a -ia emenl which ha'! effective relaLonshin to that, aspect of the problem These restrictions represents' an aj preciable reduction in th-, amount of public recreation. In exercise ol the new powers, the Gov-inment would not impose mor* restrictions than war requirements rendered expedient, but such requirements must obviously be the first consideration, and there would be no hesitation in imposing such iurthe; restrictions as might oe needed in the interests of the war effort. On the other hand, there was no intention o. Imposing heedless hindrances to recreation or carrying the restrictions so far that total war necessarily became total misery.—B.O.W.