THREAT TO CRICKETERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1902, 10 November 1913, Page 5

THREAT TO CRICKETERS.

TO USE BOYCOTT. (Bt Tel«*r»Dh.—Prc»« A*»oolftUoa.) Chrlstohurch, November 8. This morning the Strike Committee asked Mr. Orchard, manager of the New Zealand cricket team for Australia. to make a statement regarding a report that, he had asked members of his business staff to volunteer as labourers on the wharves. Mr. Orchard refused to make a statement. The committee stated that word would be sent to Australia to boycott the matches. Mr. S. Orchard, the gentleman referred to above, admitted to a newspaper representative that the facts were correct. "As far as I am concerned," he said, "I don't see that the strike people have got any right to dictate to us what we must do. Thejr have not got the power to run the universe. I won't be dictated to by them any more than them to be dictated to by me. Tilings have surely come to a pretty pass when a man has to do what these 'Labour leaders' tell him, and must not hold views contrary to theirs. They can try and do their worst. It will only bo a good advertisement for the team. If they refuse to take our baggage aboard and ashore, well, we can do it ourselves." What if the seamen refuse to sail in the ship? queried tho reporter. "Well, I suppose we can't swim across," replied Mr. Orchard with a smile.

In reply to a further question, Mr. Orchard said that he had not heard of any attempt being made to influence tho N T ew Zealand Cricket Council or members of the New Zealand cricket team to block'his going as manager.;