To the Editor of the "Norra-Curna Darty News."
Sir,—The first thing the elderly athlete, referred to in your leading article of to-day, should do, is ask himself what was happening in England between 1914-1918. It is easy to forget in Shanghai.
He should then think how all decent youths between 18-30 were employed during that time. He should remember that though the Public Schools as far as possible carried on "business as usual" all was in fact preparation for war. Much more stress was laid on the O.T.C. than on games. The boys all left early and were for the most part immediately involved in the serious business of existing, and unable to enter the field of sport at the age when it is most important to do so, if youthful proficiency in games is required.
It is interesting to note that the much boosted middle-aged athletes here cither took no part in the war at all, or were established ox-ports at their particular sports before the war.
Waterloo was won on the playing fidds of Eton. The Great War was won by the young men from the public schools, but you must not blame them if they have forgotten how to play cricket, etc., expertly when. they return.
Then such sports as polo and yachting are impossible for young men of 18-23. We came here to mako a living and not as established millionaires. Even golf is expensive enough.
As to tea dances, what would your olderly critic have the young mon. do between 5 p.m.—8 p.m, in winter. Isn't dancing better than gambling I think it would become your elderly Shanghai athletes to make allowance for the youth's inexpertness in games, so that the youth may make allowance for the elderly athlete's ostrich-like behaviour when his country needed him.
I am, etc.,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.