SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS.
NAPIER INCIDENT RECALLED. VISITORS SEND AN APOLOGY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. No little harm was done to the reputation of the Springbok footballers who toured New Zealand as sportsmen by biased reports despatched to the Sa.’th African newspapers by a Press representative travelling with them, but that thefie reports were not endorsed by the members of the team, nor approved by the public in South Africa, was evidenced by a public statement made by Mr. Ira G. 'Emery, manager of the South African team of athletics, at a civic reception to-day. Mr. Emery declared that the recent tour of the Springbok footballers had done more than moat people thought to improve the relatione and cement the friendship ’between the Union and the Dominion. No team that ever left South Africa could have been received more' favorably than were the Springboks over here. He had been in the closest touch with the majority of the team and every one of them wae full of praise for New Zealand. It was regrettable, however, said Mr. Emery, that one or two Press reports had been sent to South Africa which did not represent the true feeling of the South African eportsmen at all. This opinion in regard to these reports was freely expressed in South Africa at the time and the footballers, when the reports came to their notice on their return home, were equally annoyed. “I have been asked,” declared Mr. Emery, “by* the Rugby authorities in the Transvaal to apologise for these reports sent to South Africa, which may have hurt your feelings in New Zealand. I do so humbly. The reports hurt us. and we as sportsmen felt they must have hurt you, but we know they Will have no effect on the strong feelings of friendship roused by the visit of the Springbok footballers; feelings which were clearly in evidence and supported by the magnificent reception accorded to us to-day and tlie welcome given us in Australia.” The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works, reassured Mr. Emery, saying that the Springboks had created a most favorable impression and many lasting® friendships hhd been made. Beyond their fine exposition of football the Springboks had shown sterling behaviour and fine deportment and he hoped before long that New Zealand would be able to pay a return visit to South Africa.
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Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1922, Page 4
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396SPRINGBOKS AND MAORIS. Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1922, Page 4
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