CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1915, Page 11 (Supplement)

CRICKET.

"ENLIST--OPi GET OUT!" CRIOKET AND PATRIOTISM. NON-VOLUNTEERS LEFT OUT OF TEAMS. The trouble which has been brewing in Christchurch lately for cricketers who are eligible for enlistment but who have not volunteered for active service has come to a head, says last Saturday's Christchluirch Sun. Two of the district cricket clubs have taken drastic action in the matter. As a result, a number of men who have not shown reason for their not having volunteered have been excluded from selection for their club's matches.

At a meeting of members of the Sydenham Cricket Club, convened by the club captain, Mr. W. Robson. Mr.' Robson stated that he had called the meeting owing tit having received a letter from Mr. W. H, Winsor, to the following effect: — "Christchurch, December 2, 1915, Mr. W. Robson, club captain, Sydenham Cricket Club, dear Sir,—Considering the present state of recruiting in Christchurch, and recognising the duty of every loyal citizen to do his utmost to help the cause along, I would respectfully ask you to convene a meeting of the club or committee, whichever you think fit, on Friday evening, December 3, to discuss the matter. Personally, I must refuse to take part in matches with players of military age. eligible for enlistment, who have not yet volunteered for active service. I am sure yoit will be Avith me, sir, in considering, firstly, the duty we owe to our country, and, secondly, ti;e duty we owe to good name arid fame'of the Sydenham Cricket Club. I am not out to point the way for other clubs, and will resent their interference with its, as I beliwe this is a matter for each club to work out its own salvation. Yours 'respectfully.—(Signed) W. H. Wi'nsor." Mr. Robson stated that he was entirely in agreement with the tone of the letter, and was very glad that it had come up, as he had heard "that another club intended to move in the matter. Mr. Winsor said that the matter bad been running in his mind for some time, and he considered it was time for the Sydenham Club to take the initiative in this matter, and to effectively set its house in order. He had not r»ad a letter referred to in the club captain's remarks, and, in any case, would resent any criticism of the Sydenham Club's conduct by an outside body whicli was plainly not cognisant of any extenuating circumstance which might be allowed to certain Sydenham players. The fact remained that Sydenham had certain players eligible for enlistment playing in two of its teams. The speaker refused to play with them any longer unless they showed sufficient reason for not doing their very obvious duty. He strongly urged any present to take up their stand for the sake of themselves and their country. He was sure that the stuff in these men was as good as in any who had already enlisted. It was meet that the premier elub in Canterbury should be the first to take up a stand and refuse to play eligible men. Mr. W. R. Patrick stated that he had seen several members of the committee, and he was very pleased that action had been already taken from inside the club. He heartily endorsed the chairman's remarks.

Mr. J. Oray, captain of the first grade team, said that several single members of his team were debarred for several reasons from joining the colours, but he agreed that they should be called upon to declare those reasons or be debarred from participation in matches, although he considered the notice was very short. Mr. 0. C. Wilson agreed that action should be taken at once.

Mr. 0. Ayling moved, after several other members had spoken:—''That any member of eligible age for enlistment shall be left out of any team, unless he gives sufficient reason for not enlisting." This was seconded by Mr. F. Woods, and caried unanimously. A list of single members of military age disclosed 14 names. Of these, there were only five who had not enlisted or had good reasons for not joining immediately. Mr. Winsor congratulated the club 011 taking this drastic step, and referred'to the necessity of keeping the game going. He quoted a recruiting speech by Dr. MeNab, in which Dr. McNab stated that "the discipline gained on the cricket and football fields greatly aided in the turning out of an efficient soldier."

The St. Albans Club also held a meeting on the same evening, and agreed that it should not interfere with any other clubs, but should continue to keep its own house in order. The St. Albans Club bad belioved that it had not any men eligible for enlistment left playing cricket. It discovered that amongst it's players >vere two unmarried men, without dependants, who have not actually volunteered. The players, who were in the club's first grade team> have been left out of the team until the)' can show good reason for their not volunteering.