Wairarapa Daily Times [Established 45 Years.] FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1920. AMATEUR v. PROFESSIONAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14141, 11 June 1920, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established 45 Years.] FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1920. AMATEUR v. PROFESSIONAL.

Ju Australia, as well as in New Zealand, there is much discussion as to the status of footballers and athletes. It is maintained in New Zealand by some amateurs that a professional boxer shrluld not be allowed to play with amateur'footballers, or that a professional jockey should be debarred from playing golf with an amateur. No one would deny that the rules governing status in sport are extremely illogical and inconsistent. Rowing is an example of stringency; a few years ago, at any rate, no one engaged in manual lribour was, according to the hmglish regulations, eligible as an amateur oarsman. Cricket is more liberal, because not only can the amateur play with and against professionals without losing his status, but he is allowed expenses and “wine money ’ on a scale which the man who frankly makes his Widg^ont:' of the game might well leuyj’iV We would draw no invidious comparisons between amateur and professional;, if a man chooses to turn his a fillet ic skill to pecuniary advantage he fe clearly entitled to do iso, and it is a commonplace that in most games, if not all, the professional is superior to the amateur. . It is <|uite arguable that the artificial distinctions should bo dropped, and that the sole test of professionalism should be the receipt of money other th<in legitimate travel*

ling expenses! If tlie rule governing football is that a man who plays simply and solely for pleasure .’eases to he aii amateur on playing against professionals, a ease could be made for its* alteration, and for putting the game on the same footing as cricket m this respect. But the issue is one of fact; We are concerned not with what should be, but with what is. If the rules operate unfairly let them by all means be amended, but while they stand the amateur must conform to them, and can neither expect exceptions to be made in particular cases nor complain that when, he infringes them he is harshly treated. But the question is often asked, “ Is the ->ma tour a cleaner sport than the professional'?’’ There is a considerable bulk of public opinion which would reply to this question in the negative. Lhe - evv Zealand Rugby Union has reinstated a number of footballers who had played the League game. Is this a sign of the times or an admission that the en"ue game is gaining a hold in - (v ' Zealand? .fudging by the attendances at League matches at Auckland one is inclined to the belief that, from the spectator’s point of view, the League frame is in favour. The day is approaching, we think, when the ‘ professional” and the amateur will pjay lootball together just as the professional and ■ amateur cricketers do today.