MAORI TEAM’S TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1926, Page 4

MAORI TEAM’S TOUR

WELSH POSITION MADE CLEAR. WELLINGTON, May 26. “Unfortunately most erroneous impression seems to have been conveyed by a recent cable message that the Welsh Rugby Union would not officially recognise the Moari team, be responsible for club fixtures ill Vv ales, or arrange an international match,” writes Mr E. E. Booth, who was n member of the original All Black team. ‘■This message would have been'more explanatory if It had been couched in different terms. Certainly no insult • was meant. I made all the initial arrangements for the Maori P.ioneci team to play in Whies at the end of the war'. I atn at present in correspondence with influential Rugby friends in Wales to-day, and I know positively that the Maoris are held in the deepest - veneration by both the Welsh Rtight Union and the people generally of Wales. “A few explanatory notes arc needful to supply the full text and meaning of the cablegram. The Welsh Rugby Union cannot recognise tbe Maoris as an international side, viewing them strictly as a sectional part or portion of New Zealand football only. Thus they cannot meet them nationally on the field. The Maoris are classed on a similar basis to a strong travelling el ill). . “With ref4ml to tlie Welsh Ruj'h.V Union accepting no responsibility m club "■ames, which probably applies mostly in a financial way, the explanation is that the leading Welsh cubs arc, in reality, self-governing corporations of their own creation and government, inasmuch as they make all l heir own club fixtures annually, phi. - -i„„ ;u ,y other clubs they like under Bindiv Union rules. Tbe Welsh Rugby 1 Union' do not interfere and these matches are not under the competition svslein so universal out here. ,us each clitli acts on its own responsibility, and this is what is inferred, m the message. Precisely the same conditions u-cro observed during the war period, when Australian and New Zealand tit mis played in Wales. Lieu aln It the New Zonltuid military team teal a specially picked Welsh side, arranged privately, the only .stipulation the Welsh Rugby Union made was that t *? uDtch should not he billed as ‘Wales v. New Zealand.’ “At a dinner alter the match, . L Walter Bees (secretary of the Welsh Rugbv Fnion) stated that he consider>.d that such a great mil ti ll should he 1 viewed as an international. The Maoris are ahhJlulv assured of a tremendous rc- ‘ ception in Wales, as well as in Kug- ; land and France, and advices received 1 state that their visit is being most eagerly anticipated as being something unique and universally interesting in the history of the game. Personally, 1 ‘ think that the tour .should, and will, prove a success in every wav.