WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3838, 30 August 1928, Page 3

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

“MANAWHENUA” NOT ON THE MAP.

Mr. Crawford, manager of the Manawhenua representative Rugby footballers who tqured the South Island recently had something to say at the combined meeting of the Union held at Levin on Saturday night in connection with the name “Manawhenua.” Mr. Crawford considered that the name Manawhenua ought to be changed, for the southern people did not know where the team had come from. Some of the spectators even thought that the visiting players had come from as far as North Auckland. The team would need to be called after one district or the other —it did not matter which. Owing to the confusion of identity the gate takings had been affected in certain instances. The Canterbury Union were satisfied with the financial result of their game; Manawhenua were known in

that district because its representatives last year defeated the Combined district for the Ranfurly Shield. In Otago, however, the case was different. That Union had taken £6OO at the match against Auckland and £SOO when playing Wnirarapa, and they had considered that if they obtained £3OO from the match against Manawhenua they would be doing well. All they took was £IOB. The Otago public did not know who the visiting players were; the barracking extended was in the form of “Go on the Busbies.” At Invercargill, the team were treated very well, but the gate again showed a. falling off. The Southland Union had obtained £450 from the Wairarapa match and £550 from the Auckland match, and they had expected to get £350 from the game against Mapawhenua, but the receipts only came to £213. If the Combined Union did not find some means of drawing the crowds in the South, it would be very hard to induce the opposing teams to return the matches.

In our opinion the name of tlm combined district should be changed from “Manawhenua,” which has no territorial significance, to “Manawatu” a district which is known throughout the Dominion, and one which would correctly convey geographical significance and add to the prestige of touring Rugby representatives. The name Manawatu compretends the whole district from whence our representatives are drawn. The change would only mean that the Palmerston area would need to be known as the Palmerston district or such other name as would meet the wishes of those concerned. It is to be hoped that the matter will be decided before next season and that delegates to the combined union will adopt the only correct solution which is Manawatu.