EMPIRE GAMES TEAM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 20 January 1938, Page 9

EMPIRE GAMES TEAM.

PREMIER’S GOOD WISHES. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 20. The Empire Games team, wdiicli leaves for Sydney to-night, was entertained by the Government at morning tea at Parliament Buildings this morning. There was a large gathering of Ministers and members of both Houses of the Legislature. The Prime Minister (Mr Savage) said that whether the team won or lost lie was sure all would uphold the honour of New Zealand sportsmanship on and off the field. On behalf of the people he wished them good. luck. Replying, tho manager (Mr McCormick) said he was sure the members of the New Zealand team could be relied upon to represent their country honourably, and that their visit to Australia, and the Games would be to New Zealand’s credit.

Captain W. N. Masefield and Mrs Simons also spoke. The latter said the women cricketers were pioneers, as they were the first representative women’s team to leave New Zealand. Whether they won or lost, the experience would be valuable. HEALTH OF TEAM.

The Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt), when seen to-day in regard to the possibility of the team being quarantined as a result of one member having German measles, said German measles was a minor disease that did not come under the purview of the Health Department. Generally it was a highly contagious disease, but not a serious condition, and one in respect of which the Health Department did not take action, except as regards schools. There was no suggestion of the Health Department Imposing restrictions, and he could not conceive of any conditions that would give cause for any action of that kind being taken subsequently. The medical adviser to the New Zealand Olympic Council and the British Empire Games Association stated that there was no question of the_ team being quarantined. In his view it was unnecessary. Miss Mitchell had been placed in isolation since her arrival at Wellington and. would be isolated for a week, when she should be able to leave for the Games. Asked what he thought of the prospects of the other members of the team contracting the complaint, the doctor thought them very slight indeed. FAREWELL MESSAGE. Seen to-day, Mr McCormick said: “On the eve of sailing for Sydney I desire to take the opportunity of saying farewell to the people of New Zealand and to express thanks for the many kind messages we have received. The public of New Zealand can rest assured that the team will be well looked Mr McCormick said he had with him a very efficient manager and chaperone and, in addition, the officials who had been appointed by the various national associations to travel with their respective representatives in the team, and the Australian authorities and the people of Australia generally would, he knew, assist in making the visit to the Commonwealth as enjoyable as possible. _ “The British Empire Games are not only Empire championships, but they constitute also a carnival where sportsmanship will be at its highest and best. I am sure that the New Zealand team will be worthy to rank with the best in that respect; also, I am sure that- we shall be a very happy team and th £t New Zealand will have reason to be proud of her representatives when they return,” added Mr McCormick.