The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1908. TO-DAY’S FOOTBALL MATCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2234, 4 July 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1908. TO-DAY’S FOOTBALL MATCH.

Tho great hold which Rugby lootball has secured amongst Now Zealanders is well exemplified bv the extraordinary interest which ';s Icing /taken in tho match, to by played today between representatives of Great Britain and thoso of Pov-irfy Bay. As will be ascertained from ;t-lie criticism supplied by our sport Ilg exports in another column the natural wish to see the local teirn score a victory is hardly likely to bo gratified, and from this point of view our chief consolation must rest in the fact that'the‘Britishers will probably lie provided with an opportunity to give an entertaining spectacular exhibition of Rugby. AYhwi both sides a-ro at ail equally matched the keenness of tho struggle usually prevents either team from making much progress with those brilliant passing rushes which the lover of the game delights; to witness. After the reverses which met the Britishers in tho early portion of their present tour tho popular, impression was that the combination was''a. disappointing one, but tlio last test- mutch played in AYellington, 'when a tie was made with New -Zealand representatives, must have completely dispelled any impression of that nature. Tho English team showed wonderful condition, and they -finished a sensational game fighting to the last. New Zealand took the field hot favorites, but the game had not long been in progress before public opinion voered round. Tlio Britishers, we are told}' were unrecognisable as the samo team a lio were defeated by-New Zealand in the first test, and their forwards never played with, better judgment and combination. Time after time they came from tlio ruck, line, and loose with superb and strenuous dribbling /rushes. It is very evident, therefore, that those who journey to the Domain to-day will have the opportunity of witnessing possibly the finest football yet seen in the Bay. In a.n,v ease w© shall be glad of the opportunity to welcome to this, district a team of sportsmen who have travelled many thousands of miles to test their prowess against the younger scions of -a groat race. During thoir tour to date the visitors have shown themselves to be true sportsmen on the field and gentlemen .off it, and as such they are deserving of tho heartiest welcome that Poverty Bay cau give them.

promoters of the movement will not. rest until their wishes have been" given effoet to. The time has l*>n'g since gone by when the suffrage movement could be referred to by. political opponents of the scheme ns n. potty agitation on the part of a few unsexed females, for the- promoters have shown that they have the bulk of tlio women of England in entire sympathy with them. Jfc seems to us that Air Asquith's ' Government, which lias been experiencing a series of sharp reverses of Into, has n rare opportunity to restore itself to public favor by conceding the franchise to women, for tho vast, accession to tho voting power of the country which-, would ensile in consequence, would stand tho Liberals in good stead in tho promotion of such measures as Old Ago Pensions and tho Liconaing Bill.