Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1911. SUBSIDISED ATHLETES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10176, 28 February 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1911. SUBSIDISED ATHLETES.

. The proposal of the Prime Minister to -assist a tea m of athletes to the tune of' £SO0 r so that the: Dominion. may be represented at the Festival 'of Empire, does not meet with the'' approval of the Taranaki News. His breezy journal, sums the position up as follower—' "sit the mom-eat, when. .there is much ( ( distress among the burnt-out set-, j tiers in Taranaki,, it wi'li comfort' ' tiliem to know that the Government | intendis to -subsidise a team of N« 1 Zealland's athletes, who will preI suafiably win a large '.number- of i "pots" at Itihe Festival of Empire/' and, one- hopes,, a. wot'di ©r two> aifeesurb our frozen mutton in between races. It is only a question of time before athletes will absolutely refuse to run, jump, ride, or swim unless paid by the (rdvcrnment for doing , so. No doubt British people wlkn have not travelled over the' boggy baokblocks of' New Zealand in winteatime, or who "have never heard of unroaded .settlements, ishout a chorus of praise at .the "loyalty' 1 , of New Zealand. The- winning of a foot race in Britain apparently appeals more to the "mind of the | statesman than tthe .struggles of [ the settlers, and 1 amy old .monument in London can be isure of a nice fat sum for ttye New Zealand Treasury. If a few atheltes who are not good enough "sports" Itio depend on themselves and their governing bodies are to be subsidise;! by tlhe State, it .seemils reasonable, enough that other young New Zealanders who go Homo .to do someIthing useful should he supplied with Government cash. 'New Zealand statesmen who go to London for the Coronation will, we hope, carefully chaise these purchased athletes rouiicT country. It is by breaking the 100 yds record (that are made, and by hustling from end to end of a swimming bath that rOads are metalled and emigration fostered. It is only a question of time before the Governnuenlt will open a Department of Athletes to run its sporting enterprises. it

might reasonably become a liaven for the giants of the grass track who have gone "groggy" in the legs and for lias-he em professors of iiiatation who left their "second wind" behind in Britisi. baths. Athletic bodies in New Zealand centres frequently complain thaSt enthusiasm is dead, but with a fatherly Government whk'h shies at £IOO for a road and gleefully .forks out . £SOO so that a few athletes shall liave a chance to win "posts" to aid them running between tapes ought to become a more important industry than mere butter-making or oatgrowing. Good luck to Itlie bought-aind-paiicl-for athletes!"