TOURING FOOTBALLERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 6 August 1937, Page 2

TOURING FOOTBALLERS.

RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON. 400 GUESTS PRESENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Aug. 6. Representatives of every Rugby football team which has represented New Zealand were present at the Government reception at Parliament House this morning to the touring South African Rugby footballers. 'The 400 guests included Cabinet Ministers, members of both Houses, heads of Government departments, representatives of the law, public services, the military, naval and air forces, New Zealand selectors and various sports bodies.

Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage prefaced his address at the reception by describing General Hertzog (Prime Minister of South Africa) whom he had met at the Imperial Conference, as one of the most lovable of men. They had disagreed about many things, but they had established a friendship, that would la-st while life lasted. The visit of the Springboks would similarly cement friendships.

The Prime Minister recalled that Mr Day (manager of the Springboks) had been the guide, philosopher and friend of the New Zealand Army team in 1919 and mentioned that P. J. Nel had represented his province 65 times.

In conclusion, Mr Savage 6aid that the present gathering was the greatest reunion of All Blacks New Zealand had ever had, among the former All Blacks present being Harry Roberts, who went to Australia with the 1884 team.

Mr Day, replying, thanked Mr Savage for the cordial welcome and kind reference to General Hertzog. Nel endorsed Mr Day’s remarks. Before, attending the official welcome the South African team laid a wreath at the Citizens’ War Memorial. The wreath was placed a.t the shrine entrance by the manager (Air Day) who was accompanied by Hon. AA T . Perry, At.L.C., president of the New Zealand Rugby Union. There were also present representatives of the New Zealand and the Wellington Rugby Unions, the South African Veterans’ Association, the AVellington R.S.A., a. number of former All Blacks and representatives of various sports organisations.