First Approach In Proposed Rugby Union Merger

Chronicle (Levin), 5 October 1949, Page 4

First Approach In Proposed Rugby Union Merger

"The letter does not tell us much, but the Press did." This was the comment of the president, Mr. R. L. Robinson, at a meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby Union's management committee last night, after a letter had been read from the Manawatu union advising that it "wished to send k delegation to discuss a proposal which might be beneficial to both unions." « The deputation woui'd cqmprise Messrs Henry, Palmer and Brown, added the letter, which asked for advice of an early date on which the delegation could be received. It was reported last week that the Manawatu union had decided to open negotiations with Horowhenua with a view to achieving a combination of the territories on a union and. sub-union basis, and that Horowhenua be asked to receive a deputation from Manawatu. It was also stated that in the event of failure to reach agreement by negotiation the Manawatu union would make representations to the New Zealand union for the combination of the two territories with Horowhenua as a sub-union of Manawatu. Formulating Viewpoint. It appeared that the committee would have to be called together specially to meet the Manawatu delegation, said Mr. Robinson at last night's meeting. He took it that Manawatu would be "pushing for some kind o-f amalgamation and I think we should have some view formulated before they anlve. The proposal was not news to him, said Mr. D. J. Oliver. It was obvious that Manawatu wanted Horowhenua to amalgamate. Manawatu wanted more room and additional scope, and if a merger "was brought about it would mean a stronger team. He would iike to hear the views of some' of those who were members of the Horowhenua management committee when the two unions were merged some years ago before forming an qpinion. "The chairman: It would he helpful if we did know something of the setup during the previous amalgamation. - Mr. J. A. Zuppicich commented that when the 'last approach for amalgamation had been made, the Manawatu union had no clear proposals to make and the delegation itself had not appeared to be unanimous. Following further brief discussion it was resolved that a special mee'ting of the management committee he held on October 11 to discuss the matter, members o'f the management committee during the earlier merger to .be invited to attend, and that the committee meet Manawatu on Octoher 18.