RUGBY DEADLOCK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 9, 9 August 1946, Page 5

RUGBY DEADLOCK

REFEREES ASSN. AND UNION WAVERING LINE OF ACTION PARDONING MOTION LAPSES The Whakatane Rugby Union has traversed a thorny path since its recent decision severely penalising members who interfered with a referee at the conclusion of a game a month back. Of the three main offenders two were suspended for life and a third for two years. Under the influence of a deputation a fortnight later the Union rescinded its decision and lifted the penalties imposed. The reactiotti of the Referees Association dan better be imagined than described.

The story found its climax last Wednesday evening when the leniency decision was declared to have lapsed following a further drastic threat from the Association. Briefly the details are as under:— Following the recent decision of the Union to suspend two players for life and a further member for two years for offensive behaviour on the field, a deputation from the Maori Clubs waited on the Union asking that the ban be lifted. It was pointed out by. Rev. Wharetini Rangi on that occasion that the persons concerned had learnt their lesson and that the penalty imposed was unduly severe. As a result when the deputation withdrew a decision to rescind the previous motion was carried with three dissentients and the penalties -affecting all three players were withdrawn. Referees Stand The matter did not rest there for the Referees Association which had previously been responsible for bringing the original complaints to the Union’s notice, and in which they had been fully backed up by members, felt that their efforts to make for better Rugby had been frustrated. At a special meeting they renewed their threat to refuse duty for any further games under the Whakatane Union until such .time as the penalties on the offending players were re-imposed. This decision was conveyed to the Union at its meeting last Wednesday evening. .A state of complete deadlock had ■arisen. The letter was brief and to the point stating that the assurances given by the Union * had not been honoured and that in view of this back sliding the Association re-af-firmed its previous decision to ref,eree no further fixtures. Weakness Somewhere In answer to the chairman’s query: •“What are we going to do about it!” •There was a prolonged silence, until Mr Jim Lawson observed that it loked as though it was the end of football for the season! Waimana delegates said there appeared to be a weakness somewhere in reversing the original position. The chairman said that he personally was very upset that a measure destined to discipline two irresponsibles had been undone at the very next meeting and that now as a result of this weakness, there was no football for anybody. The secretary (Mr P. Wairua) .suggested a deputation to the Ref..erees Association, ' which other speakers discountenanced on the ..score of not having any remedy to offer. Letting the Referees Down Mr P. Anderson said he felt personally that the Union had let the Association down twice already. He raised the point of legality in rescinding the original motion without a requisite notice of motion. The chairman agreed and said -that technically the only method whereby a motion could be rescinded was by unanimity of all present. A single dissenting voice could upset it.

No suggestions of overcoming the

position were forthcoming and the observed that it appeared to him the only way was to plead with the Association to referee the

Union’s games on Saturday. He moved accordingly. Mr D. Wilson seconding, observed that if football -stopped mid-season as it appeared it might—it would be the finish of ■Rugby for Whakatane. Mr Lawson said that he appreciated the fact that the representations should have been made to the Bay Union as a protest and not to •the Whakatane Union. He felt that this could still be done to put the matter in order. Motion Out of Order On the motion of Mr P. Anderson It was unanimously decided that the method of rescinding the penalty motion on Hira Mokai at last week’s •meeting was irregular and out of -order and should therefore be regarded as having lapsed.

A delegation to the Referees Association was next appointed comprising the Chairman, Messrs. Hohapata and Lawson.