NEW ZEALAND IN SPORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 21 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND IN SPORT.

WRESTS SUPREMACY FROM AUSTRALIA. BETTER MANAGEMENT BRINGS RESULTS.

(By A. R. B. Palmer, in Smith’s Weekly).

Mo country in the world has taken such amazing strides towards recognition in international sport as New Zealand has in the past few years. Not only has she held her own in those pastimes generally regarded as peculiarly suited to her climate and conditions, but, in many others, where her national interests had for years been submerged, she lias wrested the initiative from Australia.

To the enterprise, sincerity and keen business acumen of her officials most of the credit is due, but their ventures would have been undertaken in vain had the Dominion not possessed the type of athletic capable of competing with distinction in any arena tic entered.

Practically all progress towards the goal of international control of Rugby Union can be ascribed to New Zealand's persistent , representations to England's die-hards. Had it not been for her campaign four years ago, during which the written threat was reinforced by the diplomacy on the spot of London representative, Cecil J. Wray, Australia and New Zealand would still be playing under rules both countries bad declared obsolete. Now England is considering their adoption. New Zealand invited the Springboks in 1921, and allowed them to play in Victoria and New South Wales. 1L was New Zealand that invited France, and, had the military situation in Europe permitted the tour to eventuate, Australians would have been hosts to Hie Frenchmen by courtesy of the Dominion.

In Rugby League, New Zealand is now sending her national sides abroad. Sunderland’s suggestion to strengthen the League All Blacks for England by the introduction of a few Queensland stars fell on very deaf cars. A Startling Change.

In the world of tennis the comparative change in international prestige is even more startling. With Anthony Wilding partnering Norman Brookes, pre-war Davis Gup victories were Australasian. Nowadays New Zealand wishes to have its own Davis Cup identity. Judging by the form of her colts in the recent N.S.W. Lawn Tennis championships, when E. D. Andrews fought his way into the final against most of the State’s leading players, it will not be long before her expectations are realised. It is almost safe to say New Zealand has a better chance of eventual success in the Cup tourney than Australia. For New Zealand tennis standard as applied to colts is far higher than N.S.W. Athletics in New Zealand is still incorporated under Australasian control. In the biennial championship meeting All Black runners and ham-mer-throwers comprise a team in opposition to the combinations of cacii of the Australian Stales. But this doesn’t deprive the N.Z. A.A.A. of autonomy and in athletics she has shown far more enterprise than the Commonwealth.

Four years ago sprinter Morris Kirksey "(U.S.) met “Slip” Carr, of Australia —on New Zealand soil. A few months ago two more American Olympians were gucsls of the Dominion. It is owing to his victories over llahn (U.S.) that Itandolpli Hose is now after Paavo Nurmi’s scalp. Meanwhile Australian athletes are languishing for want of worthy competitors. The successes of Ena Stockley and Piri Page in the swimming pools of Australia last season came as a revelation except to those who were closely iu touch with New Zealand’s recent natatorial progress. Fairgray, of Auckland, is a far better backstroke swimmer, on ins times, than Australia has yet produced, and Australia’s all round champion, Reg. Greer, of Queensland, had to fight hard for every victory he gained in New Zealand baths last year. Sydney has not forgotten the shock administered by Hie All Black eightoared crew on the Parramatta two seasons ago. It came at a time when the N.S.W. champion eight Mosman, had been sweeping to win after win. and old oarsmen were beginning to talk of the recovery of N.S.W. rowing prestige. A Force to be Reckoned With. New Zealand cricketers did not meet tlic best Nl's of Australia, but they proved conclusively that soon they will he a force to be reckoned with. Their batsmen had the strokes. Knowledge of when and how to employ them will come after a few more interchanges of the visits of which many inlluenlial Australian officials are ardent advocates. It was Board of Control intrigue alone which prevented the Australian XI from travelling In England through New Zealand. A majority of Collins’ men were in favour of Ihc New Zealand route, and actually thought it had been adopted. In ttie invitation to Hie Indian Army hockey team, however, New Zealand conclusively proves her enterprise in international sport. Australian hockey players can teach New Zealand nothing. These hardground warriors, wilh llieir slick proficiency and learn discipline, "ill he worthy foes. . . After Ihc Indian invasion Dominion officials will no doubt bo seeking fresh liockev worlds to conquer. ’1 oeii players outclassed Australian sides m 1P23. . I Australia's excuse for lack uf Inter-

national enterprise in sport is that the distances between centres are so long as to make tours unprofitable. But there is, at present, an obvious absence of interstate harmony. Federal control or central authority is seldom in evidence.

Under those circumstances ttic development of New Zealand's separate status is quite likely to have an ultimate beneficial effect on Australian control. To find themselves losing prestige in the world of sport would be the best bracer Australians could have.