N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1931, Page 7

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

DOUBLE MISSION OF TOUR. “England is prepared and a warm welcome is awaiting the New Zealand team,” said Mr H. D. Swan, the New Zealand Cricket Council’s representative in England, in an interview. “It will be fully realised in England that the disaster in Hawkes Hay placed serious difficulty in the path of the New Zealanders in the arrangements for their tour, and the courageous decision to carry on will command the greatest respect. Cricket followers in the Mother Country will fully appreciate the manifestation of sportsmanship. Given reasonably good weather I can see no reason why the tour should not he a financial success. It is quite reasonable to believe that there will be a profit that will aid the game in New Zealand. “In a sense the New Zealand team will he ambassadors to England, whose mission will be to show that m this country there has been 110 shrinking in the face of calamity.” INTERESTING PROGRAMME.

Referring to the .suggestion that the tour should be cancelled oiving to the earthquake disaster Mr Swan said that it was a short-sighted one. Now if ever the people needed some brightening interest to attract their minds from the stress of the times. For that reason the tour of the New Zenlanders in England was strongly to be advocated. A very interesting programme had been arranged. It was infinitely superior to the itinerary of 1927 and had been sq arranged as to ensure the first class matches being played on days when attendances wonkl be full, An extremely warm welcome was awaiting the team. indeed the counties which were to be visited would he very disappointed if the tour were to lapse at this late stage, as for over a year they have been looking forward to meeting the New Zealanders . “Under the circumstances,” said Mr Swan, “I do not want to lay particular stress on this point, hut if the New Zealand visit does not eventuate much inconvenience will he caused in England. In many instances matches against the New Zealanders have been fixed as the principal attraction of festival and carnival weeks in various counties. It is very late now and if the tour were cancelled, the counties would find great difficulty in making other arrangements. THE SOCIAL SIDE. The social side of the tour, Mr Swan added, would bring New Zealand well to the fore, for many public functions had been arranged in honour of the visiting team, and in view the earthquake disaster it would he advantageous that such an opportunity should be given of showing the people of England the true spirit in which the calamity had been accepted.