Ambassadors
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
South Pacific’s Best Ambassadors
IN 35 days, a score of young Fijian have done more in Australia fo the reputation of Pacific Islands an Islanders than savants and politician have done in 35 years.
Australia, at first, did not regar Fijian footballers very serious!} Ninety per cent, of Australia’ knowledge of Pacific Islanders ha been gained in Papua, New Guines Solomons, New Hebrides, where th primitive Kanakas are not impressiv as sportsmen. One match change* all that.
The Fijians played superb footbal —open, free, dashing and spectacular They played hard but the; scrupulously observed the rules, the; were the equals of all their opponent in quick-thinking tactics, and the; never showed a nasty temper. Th< crowd loved them. Their popularity increased with every match.
Off the field, they made an equally good impression, by their modesty courtesy and intelligence. Beinj lionised, they easily could have mad* fools of themselves. There was no one regrettable incident. They hav« given Australia an idea of Fiji am Fijians that is very flattering, and wil! not soon be forgotten.
Thoughtful Australians are inclined to say: “If these well-behaved, at tractive young men are typical Pacific Islanders, then Pacific Islanders arc worth helping in every reasonable way”.
The Fijians leave Australia by thi BCPA plane from Sydney on the mornin;, of August 13.
Results Of The Matches
July s—Fiji 21, Sth. Harbour 9. .. 9—Fiji 28, City 19. .. 12—Fiji 14, NSW 14. 16—Fiji 30, New England 18. 19—Fiji 24, Queensland 17. „ 23—Fiji 33, Com. Services 14. 26—Australia 15, Fiji 9. 28—Fiji 50, Central NSW 8.
Aug. 2—Fiji 28. Newcastle 25. 9—Fiji 17, Australia 15.