YOUNG NEW ZEALAND

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 3, Issue 2, 1 August 1924, Page 5

YOUNG NEW ZEALAND

BONNY BAIRNS FROM THE SOUTH ISLAND

career, can make but a poor showing. Finland, by the almost miraculous achievements of one man, makes a remarkable showing, and it has been rather amusing to notice how often the question has been raised lately, “But where is Finland?” — so the Games, if they serve no other purpose, have at least encouraged an interest in geography. LET’S MAKE ALLOWANCES That New Zealand did no better in the Olympic Games, however, is by no means a matter that should occasion depression. Though the Games are technically amateur, the laurels go, with monotonous regularity, to the country that can afford to train and equip the best team. 1 would not have you think, despite what 1 have previously said, that 1 by this mean any imputation against our American friends: they are fortunately placed, and. probably, if there were as much loose cash floating round in New Zealand as there is in the United States, we would, on a per capitem basis, take equal advantage of our opportunities. Over the question of all the quarrels that have arisen during the course of the Games— well, they are unfortunate incidents, over which it is probably better to draw a discreet veil. Our Latin friends occasionally allow excitement to override discretion. Their education in the true meaning of sport is yet young, and shall we, their teachers, show annoyance because they are still prone to behave naughtily ? Threats of withdrawal on the part of our athletes bear comparison with similar threats on the part of a teacher of a very clever class in an infant school. Let us remember that the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic race taught the world what sport means. Being old enough (which doesn’t stamp mo as being quite antediluvian) to remember the Olympic Games held in London, and the animosity aroused by the American methods there, I would suggest patience — for it is significant that both American and English athletes were on this occasion unanimous in their protest. I would suggest that the remedy lies, not in the abolition of the Games, hut in the appointment of judges who have been

proved to he impartial, without any question of nationality, and the elimination of events that have no real meaning to the true all-round athlete. THE ALL BLACKS 1 suppose that some years ago any mention of Rugby football in a ladies’ paper would have been considered to border on the indecent, but times change, and so do manners, and probably there are almost as many football enthusiasts

amongst the feminine portion of the community as there are male—for verification one has only to go to any football ground on any Saturday— and, too, the famous All Blacks’ tour of 1905 makes the visit of another side to the Homeland almost an historical incident that cannot be passed over by any commentator on topical events. 1 am sure, therefore, I do not trespass beyond my privileges when 1 wish the team, on behalf of The Ladies’ Mirror and the women of New Zealand, all possible success, and give them the assurance that their deeds will be watched as carefully by our readers as by any section of ■ the populace— their successes

rejoiced at and their defeats, if any such untoward incidents should occur, mourned. Like Spartan mothers, we can tell them to come back with their shields or on them, for we can he assured that, whatever fortune may hear in store, they will worthily uphold the reputation for true sportsmanship that was established by their predecessors and enhanced by those who left these shores for the sterner game of war. Whether they will he as successful as the first touring team is a very debatable point, for they will have to meet stronger opposition. English Rugby has made much progress in the last twenty years—though no English sportsman will deny that this is largely due to the lessons learnt during the All Blacks’ and Springboks’ tours — and defeats by worthy opponents do not necessarily entail disgrace. A MISCREANT AT LARGE It is sincerely to be hoped that the police will succeed in apprehending the scoundrel who finds enjoyment in poisoning the animals at the Auckland Zoo. Some while ago a valuable animal was killed by a “sportsman” with a pea-rifle. If only one Of these scoundrels could he caught and suitably dealt with, though it is difficult to find a. punishment to fit the crime, it would probably act as a deterrent to other humorists of the same description. A CKN O WEE D GM ENTS The photograph of Mrs. A. E. Moore that appeared on page Ifi of the July issue should have been acknowledged to the Crown Studio, Auckland. Owing to the print having been destroyed in making the reproduction, an erroneous acknowledgment was made. The photograph of Nurse H. J. Mooney on page 4 of the same issue, and the child study of Dawn Veronica Bedford on page 25, were by the Belwood Studios, Queen Street, Auckland. OUR COVER The photograph on our cover — “Judith”— a charming child study by S. P. Andrew Studio, Auckland and Wellington.