RUGBY IN ENGLAND.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 521, 31 May 1909, Page 6

RUGBY IN ENGLAND.

PROFESSIONALISM—HAS IT BEEN BEALLY. FOUGHT? ' i■..■■■.- [BTnrnaamt—pbzss ibsociaiioh—conmont.^ London, May 28. : j Tha Engfieh Rugby Union, at its annual general meeting, rejected by on ovorwhelming majority a motion by Mr. J. F. Burn ~ (on behalf of tho Moeely Football Club) d 0... ... olaring thart, professionalism exists,,, and ■:that tho Committee has not consistently en- . . forced the,laws -in'regard to j: Mt. Burn is continuing an attack which bo made; unsuccessfully, at the' lost annual meet- : ing of the English- Rngbv Union.The report. . ■ of the 'inqniry. into' the-charges of professiimalism: was attacked; at : that meeting, the inquiry ; denounced as .a farce.* Mr. :Burn ; moved:: -this: meeting /is': not satisfied^,that veiled . "V professionalism ■ does i not exist in the Kugby ■>.1;/.Union, ;views. with-'alarm- the- attitndo of •tho-Rngby Union Committee towards the whole I!; question." Tho motion was defeated by, nine . votes—33 for, 47 against. . '■ At a'meeting of• the tftugby y.international. Board in 'February last .the .Board- disagreed .0:; /.on: Scotland's.'proposition that the daily .allow-,-anoes of 3s. per man made to the New Zealand .team toonnted: to professionalism.; Scotland and Ireland voted for.,the' proposition, England ;;'land«'Wales against it. -The, Boar ; resolved that " cash'; allowances were contrary to the .principle of ,Rugby/football. No .such- , allowances will bo maclo in future.:; ' .;...' It has been pointed out that .'tho practice was ■. > bo new ono in the ca.se of the New Zealanders,; i-Xi'and.'-WMv-foUoTring an- example set (it is al-. leged) 'by, Mullineux' English' teanv and supported by both the English ; teams that visited New Zoaland, and by other teams.