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Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1921, Page 2

Our Greymouth morning contemporary yesterday hardly conveyed to its readers the feeling that the May Day gathering in the sister town was a huge success. The scare headlines were subdued. The fact that “numerous” Labourites marched in procession, and that a “large crowd” assembled at the Opera House, does not convey the impression of the wonderful gathering which the optimistic looked for. Many Labourites very sensibly stayed at work. Others who looked on, from all account, did so in a spirit very much at variance with that for the occasion of May Day. The lukewarmness indicated a sane consideration for the ideals of Labor to he achieved by reasonable evolution and not by dislocating revolution. Time, yesterday, did not suffice to read the report of the “hot air” ventilated, but one unique phrase caught our eye. “The ono bright spot was Russia”-; said alt occasional speaker and this sapient remark was greeted with applause. Just why the approvers of this remark are not migrating to Russia in their “numerous” numbers,, at once suggests itself. New Zealand could well afford to do , without them, and they never would lie missed. Going to a “pleasant” country like Russia would give the guest scope for the expression of their Social- | ist ideas, without the fear of “doing ! time” 1 for 12J years. We feed sure , New Zealand has no desire to place local restraint on those who are aching to break the law, but wNio fear the. average 12J years’ incarceration. New Zealand would much prefer to be free of such all their lives rather than maintain them compulsorily for the term suggested. But May Day was roundl ed off pleasantly after all— the afternoon was devoted to healthy outdoor sport and in the whirls and twirls of “soccer” there was a right merry finish. Wo opine there will be no “rtoccer” in Russia, so with that out* .bright pastime missing, venture to prophesy there wii! be no exodus to “the brightest spot" oil earth, aild God’s owii Country 'ill still have to endure tile - xtremists.

'l’|i k love of sport that is the healthy out of doors exercise—is a good cure for all that is paltry and petty in character. No one can participate in tile sporting field without being the better for the ordeal. He meets men on an equal footing; has to play the game according to the rules; and is readily judged by compeers ns to his courage, resource and ability. He is the bet/ter man for the ordeal; and the better the man tlie more superior the player, the better his effect on those about him. Spectators derive as much prolit as they do pleasure iu onlooking a game, if understanding its finer points, they become engrossed in the ways and doings of the players. Now that “big cricket” lias begun at Home, it is not improbable, following the line of thought referred to, that industrially England will be the better for the recreation. Millions of workers will witness the Australian players in their great exposition of cricket. They will see England’s game played by the oversea, cousins in a very superior manner, and we are sure the spectates will be the better visioned in mind

for their experience. A capable batsman placing the ball where lie will; a tricky howler angling for a difficult wicket; a brilliant fieldsman alert and never missing a chance; these are all factors in a cricket, match altogether engrossing and which will take the spectators out of themselves, and they will be helped thereby to get a new vision of life. The Australian cricketers are Home at a critical time, but wo believe that thei r sporting ways and their particular pastime will carry a silent message and influence to thousands. The game of life is to he played no loss soundly than the field game. The rule's are so rigorous if broken. Fay up and play the game always is a, good motto and Englishmen have it notably to their credit. But more than ever to-day, on the field of cricket and in the industrial world there is need to observe the motto to the fullest extent for the honour of their country.