GOLF IS KING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 June 1927, Page 11

GOLF IS KING

THE SUN'S SYDNEY LETTER

SYDNEY’S RULING INTEREST N.Z. PLAYERS’ WIN SYDNEY, June 16. Golf has been a vital topic in the city for the past 10 days, even overshadowing State politics. Both Press and public have been generous in their appreciation of the New Zealanders’ play, and in spite of cold, wet weather during much of the time, large followings have been the rule in the majority of the matches. Duncan’s defeat by Whitton is not regarded as in any way derogatory, since Whitton has been an open champion, while Duncan’s honours were won in the amateur sphere. Horton’s, game; with Russell was easily the most exciting, and his defeat by one stroke, due to his. missing a short putt, was scarcely a defeat, so splendidly did he play throughout a hard match. As regards their win in the KirkWindeyer Cup matches, the New Zealanders have won friends by their modesty, both Duncan and Horton saying that they caught their opponents when they were off their form. Mr. R. C. Kirk’s pleasure at the win is shared by many, and his keenness in coming so far to see the first contest in the meeting of which he was one of the promoters caused a large gathering of well-wishers to be down to see him off to-day when he sailed on his return. The dinner at the Australia last Saturday was a brilliant affair, every golf club in Sydney being represented, while such vivid talkers as W. M. Hughes were among the speakers. ULI MAROA’S OVERHAUL An unavoidable delay in overhauling the Ulimaroa will cause that ship to be off the New Zealand run for another two weeks. New Zealanders will be interested to know that they nearly did not see her over there again, as it was suggested, in the rearrangement of the fleet following the loss of the Riverina, to place the Zealandia, a larger ship, on the New Zealand run, and the Ulimaroa in the Hobart service. This, however, has now been dropped, and the company is now negotiating for a steamer to take the Riverina’s place in the Tasmanian trade. A .vessel whose name has been mentioned in this matter is the Manuka, but no announcement has been made yet. Though the syndicate which bought the Riverina as she lies declares that it can float her, experts here do not share that view. ITALIAN MIGRANTS According to the Italian Consul’s statement, made this week. Italy does not encourage emigration of her people on the grounds that, after being brought to the' age and stage where they are assets to their country, it is wrong to let them go to Australia or New Zealand. No steps, however, appear to be taken in Italy to discourage these voluntary exiles, judging by the wellfilled Italian liners which arrive here every month—all fine large ships, too. They come ashore eager to meet relatives, who are down to meet them and show them the ropes, and the babel is amazing. One thing they will not submit to, and that is being photographed.

Some of the Levantines and other Mediterranean people who arrive in these ships are very darkcomplexioned. The Dewan, who was India’s representative, got himself into a mild kind of trouble by commenting on the inhabitants of Woolloomooloo, where many newly-arrived Mediterraneans live, by comparing them with coloured British subjects from India LABOUR EXPECTED TO GET BACK Jn spite of the split in Labour’s ranks, and the joining of the Nationals and Country Party, there appears to be little doubt that Labour will get back into power again, though whether Mr. Lang will be the leader is another matter. One point on which the Nationalists will lose votes is the 44-hours week, Mr. Bavin having declared his intention of reverting to 48 hours as soon as he gets into power —if lie does. The 44-hour week has been in vogue in New Zealand in most industries for many years, a fact which few appreciate. It means eight hours a day except Saturday, when half a day is worked, and this is the average Australian’s idea of a fair week’s work; in spite of reports to the contrary, he does work, too, harder than the average New Zealand artisan. Perhaps it is because he has to, or get “fired.” There are many in Labour’s ranks who do not approve of Mr. Lang, but they like Labour better than the other side. AUSTRALIA BELOW ZERO New Zealanders sitting in their island eyries shivering in the polar blasts can think Sympathetically of their cousins. for this winter has been the coldest on record. Kiandra, which is near Mount Kosciusko, has registered temperatures below zero, which something to be placed on record. The westerlies are always cold in Sydney, but this year they have been frigid, and the winter cruises to Honolulu and the East have been rushed, and will continue to be till spring comes. Shorter trips are being made to Queensland, which is an ideal winter place. A suggestion which was made to me recently was that the New Zealand steamers should extend to Queensland. Then, in the winter, the big boats, and more of them, could run- to Queensland, and in the summer the same prominence could be given to New Zealand. This, it was argued, would make more ships available at busy times without having to lay any up at off-seasons. EVER-PRESENT FERRY DANGER Sydney’s waterside population lives in ever-present dread of a ferry smash. Last evening a collision occurred just off Circular Quay between a Neutral Bay ferry and a Manly boat. The sharp steel bow of the latter cut through the wooden planking and decking of the smaller ferry. Of the ferry crashes iff the past few years, practically every one has been between a Manly boat and a Neutral Bay ferry the reason being that the latter cross the track of the Manly ferries. In the present instance, however, the Manly boat was coming away from the yards at Neutral Bay, and the vessels met head-on at Kirribilli Point. Luckily no lives were lost. but affairs of this kind make the ferry travellers look with longing thoughts at the tall structure of the bridge, which will obviate much of the peril of this crowded crossing. WILL LAWSON.