Ructions in the Soccer World

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 471, 28 September 1928, Page 6

Ructions in the Soccer World

AUSTRALIAN XI DIDN’T LIKE SINGAPORE

Welcome was “Chilling and Conservative”

SEVENTEEN Aussie Soccer enthusiasts recently visited the Straits Settlements and Java under the management of Mr. E. J. Lukeman, who has since alleged in the Straits and Sydney Press that the visiting players received a very lukewai-m reception at Singapore, except from tiie Asiatics, and that the “chilling and conservative” attitude of the British community at the new naval base compared very unfavourably with the warmth of the welcome extended by the Dutch residents of Java. The “Straits Times” vigorously repudiates the “implied insult.”

It all started over the following letter which Mr. Lukeman wrote to the “Straits Times” on August 7 last: “I am desired on behalf of the Australian team which has recently toured Singapore and of which I have The honour to be one of the managers, to contradict a statement which has appeared in the Singapore Press, to the effect that we have been satisfied with the treatment meted out to us, both by the Singapore Football Association in particular, and the Britishers of Singapore generally. “Fresh from wonderful treatment by the people of Java, especially the Dutch community, we, as representing one of the most loyal of our British possessions, looked forward to a warm-hearted reception on our arrival here, and anticipated a lavish social programme. We were, however, soon disillusioned. Captain Harris, the secretary of the Singapore Association, was the only official to display any interest in our arrival or the fact that 18 good Britishers were, for the time being, their guests. Nothing of a social character had been provided and our boys had, perforce, to fill in their time by making their own enjoyment, which, though it may havebeen some relaxation from the continued round of pleasure provided for us in Java, was a great disappointment to our boys. We also noted the enthusiasm of the Asiatics, their appreciation of anything which appeared clever in our play*, and say unhesitatingly that their attitude compares more than favourably with the attitude of the British spectators present. “Chilling and Conservative” “Summing up the whole position, we feel that the reception at Singapore was conservative, chilling, and not what we expected from fellow Britishers. “On our arrival, a statement was also made public that I considered our* team superior to a professional side. This I wish to be corrected. My statement was that our team was playing like a professional side. “The question of an Australian teajn touring again has not been discussed, but if tlie invitation were extended it would be considered by my association, though sensing the feelings of the members of the present touring party and also my own feelings. I am certain that very fejv, if any, would be enthusiastic over the tour. “These observations are made more in sorrow than anger, and I sincerely hope that in the near future the organisation of international receptions in Singapore will be such as to prevent a cause for complaint.” “Straits Times” Hits Out In. its reply the “Straits Times” published a leader, in which it described Mr. Lukeman’s letter as “childish, insulting and misleading,” and said: “Air. Lukeman’s tribute to the sportsmanship of the Asiatics is so well merited that it is a great pity it should be made the vehicle for an implied insult to the British spectators. Our only comment on that sentence in the letter is to commend Air. Lukeman’s closer attention to that sportsmanship which he professes to admire. Thereafter, if he remains disposed to pursue the matter, we would welcome an explanation of the inconsistencies to which we draw attention, and suggest that a word of ap-

predation of the facts that two of the European clubs in Singapore extended honorary membership to the players, that the S.F.A. presented his team with a special cup and that the regimental team, at the end of their drawn game with the Australians relinquished in favour of their opponents all claim to the trophy . offered to the winners, would not be opt of place in any further letters he decides to forward for publication. “For sheer fatuous nonsense . . . Mr. Lukeman’s letter should stand as a classic example, and to those Australians resident in the colony we offer our sincerest sympathies lest anyone is sufficiently misguided to regard the tone of Mr. Lukeman’s letter as indicative of the general characteristics of his fellow countrymen.’* This editorial rebuke was shown to Mr. Luke man on the return of the team to Sydney, and he reiterated his allegations regarding the lukewarm reception the team had received. Mr. Lukeman Repeats Charges “ ‘The Straits Times’ published an article purporting to be an interview with me, and in which I stated that we received wonderful hospitality in Singapore, were sorry to leave Singapore, and also that we were commencing negotiations for a tour of the Straits by an Australian team- The article was published on the afternoon we left Singapore and was brought to rhe on the boat. Our players were annoyed at the thought of my having made that statement and to ensure that I was speaking the truth when I said that I had had no interview with the representative of the paper I wrote back to the Singapore press asking them to deny (1) that it was an official interview' with me, and (2) a statement which said that I had stated that the Australian team w_as. equal to any professional side. “I reiterate my statement that our recaption was chilling and conservative. Dutch Extend Warm Welcome “I say that our reception compared very unfavourably with the warmth of the welcome in Java, w r here w r e were tnken into the homes and hearts of , the Dutch people. We did not desire • a flag-flapping or flapdoodle as was suggested in the Straits ‘Times’ of August 8. What we wanted was to be made to feel at home and among friends. The presentation of a cup by the Singapore Football Association w r a.s very warmly appreciated, and the act of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in allowing us to take possession of the beautiful cup presented by Mi* Alsagoff, of the Malaya Association, and a foreigner, was an act of sportsmanship which will be ever remembered by the members of our team. “My original letter to the Straits ‘Times’ expressed the sentiments of every man in the team.”

So far as is known, the first instance of Europeans being left in New Zealand to their own resources occurred m 1792. when Captain Raven, of the Britannia, landed a sealing party at Facue Harbour on the West Coast of tbs South Island, where they remained alittle over twelve months before being called for. Colonisation did not definitely set in till IS4U. That was onl> eight, years before the advent of DillBest, and as New Zealand has ever since been growing in population, 80 Dill’s Best has been growing popularity as “a mighty fine pipe Since its arrival in the Dominion smokers-liavo discovered it to be the tobacco they w r ere longing for. low Bros.. Christchurch, are the protK* New Zealand distributors. —4.