FOOTBALL AND THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 270, 24 April 1915, Page 8

FOOTBALL AND THE WAR.

THE LEAGUE'S QUANDARY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, April 23. The Rugby League, after considering New Zealand's request to postpone the proposed tour to a later date, decided, in view of the season's arrangements being already complete, to ask New Zealand to adhere to the June itinerary. It does not anticipate that the decision will cause the abandonment of the tour.

The Daily Telegraph comments on the excuse of the president of the Mew 'Zealand League for sending a team to Australia, and says it shows the difficulty he has to discover any justification of the scheme, which is quite contrary to the spirit which has dominated other sporting bodies in New South Wales. After the splendid manner sportsmen have responded and recruits have sacrificed their sporting engagements in order to drill, it is flaunting in their faces a challenge to send a team here. Apparently, if it comes it will not be thoroughly representative, and this will afford a strong reason for not attending matches. Because we are at war is no reason for assuming an attitude' of gloom or depression. The policy of the foremost sporting bodies has been to recognise that the war has imposed on young men the duty to serve at the front or train to defend Australia. The promoters ought to take the hint and drop the tour.

"KEEP THE GAME GOING." SPORT AS A NATiOXAL SAFEGUARD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Sight. Speaking at the annua! mooting of the Auckland Rugby Union this evening the president, .Mr. A. E. Devore,. said lie was in Sydney when the war broke ■out. He read in the papers that the Rugby season had come to a premature end in Xew Zealand because of the number of footballers who had volunteered for active service. He, with other Xew Zoalamlors In Sydney, were proud of the example shown uy the footballers of the Dominion. Of course, AuWalian footballers also vohi;;tep"c;i 1:;;', the Sew Zealand player,; fit >H;i iVst. Sport had been one of the saftfg'iiaMi of the nation. Players of the game' kept the best physical condition, and were lise'd to obedience and discipline. Battalions of footballers and sportsmen bad been raised in England, a matter of which we should be proud, and they formed a part of one of the best armies the nation had ever had. In regard to club football, he suggested that thev should keep the game going .with all' the enthusiasm they possessed. The reports of annual meetings suggested that clubs were enthusiastic, n.-i l.„ imped tlie season would he as good as they anticipated.