The Maori Football Team.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 284, 25 July 1888, Page 3

The Maori Football Team.

Wiikn the fact of the Native Team going Home was first made public, I raited my voice against it as very likely to have a bad efl'ect on a New Zealand Team, and be caubO I consideied that it was the part of the Rugby Unions to send a team Home. I afterwards allowed that Warbrick in taking Home a purely Maori Team was acting quite within the rights of an individual, and expressed the opinion that it would pa\ c the way for a representative New Zealand team visiting England. Since then the management of the Native Team have thought fit to include in their ranks three prominent Auckland players with no Maori blood in their veins. This action has met with protests from Otago and Hawke's Bay, and in a sort of way from Wellington. The Hawke's Bay Union have given voice to their opinion that Warbrick was infringing on the rights of the New Zealand Unions. On the other hand, several writers in the press have applauded his action, and have already added half-a-dozen more Euiopeans to the team. Ono writer, of acknowledged standing, says that Warbrick should shunt a number of his team and pick in some of the most prominent players in New Zealand. Continuingjheis of opinion bhatthiswould be a fairly representative New Zealand team. I beg to differ from the writer, for I am sure that if the professional laws are altered in favour of colonial visiting teams the New Zealand team that goes home will be so strong that the present Native Team, or the one proposed by the Southern writer, would nofc be within points of ib. I protect against any individuals or any "syndicate" arrogating to themselves powers that should only belong to the New Zealand Rugby Unions. The present team is a Native Team although it does include three Europeans, and I am glad to be able to say that it is the intention of Warbrick to keep it at that. I had a conversation thia week on the matter, and he informed me that if it had not been for his accident Elliott and Madigan would never have been included in his team. His accident opened his eyes to what might possibly happen in England. If it had not been for his broken ankle, McCausland would have been the only European player who could have accompanied the team. Mr Warbrick further stated that he did not think that the three Europeans would all play in any one match. Madigan and Elliotts services would be requhed pretty often, but MeCausland would only play in cases of emergency or if Warbrick again gets laid up. It is very clear that Warbrick needs the services of the three players he has chosen in order to give his team strength it could not gain by the inclusion of only natives, but I think it would be a mistake to accept the services of any more pakehas. When a " New Zealand Team" goes Homel trust it will be sent by <he " New Zealand Rugby Union" or else by the combined Unions, which practically comes to the same thing. " Aclreon, "' in Auckland Star.