FOOTBALL IN WELLINGTON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 547, 30 June 1909, Page 4

FOOTBALL IN WELLINGTON.

I: : Sir,—Last,; lyeek I.wrote you re the Poneko ; Vi Oriental/footbalhniatch, and through the : medium of your valued paper it lias ventilated ideas to tho public which were unknown before.;. In Saturday's issub you have two replies,' both; signed; by "Fair, Play,", and I ■ will first answer-.the'weak reply of June 22. In this ho tells me.that they have a fine .oxeoutiye, and mentions Dr.'Newman's nanio, almost'implying that' that gentleman ; . endorsed the club's action, and knowing Mm as I dp, I am pleased to say I- don't'tlunk anything of the implication. But I would like' '-Mr. Fair Play'' to tell mo why Messrs. A. ■Wiron and W. Brown, both prominent supporters, tried to get the club not to include these men. -They know it was legal, but .against-the spirit'6f •■tho law. Again, is tho club encouraging its juniors? For lam told by,:: players .that they have' a player in tho •junior ranks, better than either of their senior wing three-qtiarters.',';' As for tho argument of men bettering their position, I think it quite right, provided that'it'is done at tlie proper time.-. And tell me.what position would they be 'in now if the Kia Ora Club mado objection ?, 'For it must} bo remembered that the union gave a decision against tho practice some time ago; .■■-.' ;• ,' / - ; J." Fair Play's" letter of the following day also. throws.some now':light.upon the subject, showing moro weakness in the union's management'..; Fancy any, club being ablo to Hold; out inducements to players of other clubs •to join them simply- because v they have a member '.on.-tho Selection Committee. It seems a pity ;to have, these. reflections cast upon the Selection Committee, and the Rugby Union should certainly giyp, these'- gentlemen an opportunity^of denying them:.. It would -be a" good .'thing-toVask them to'attend tho next Rugby Union meeting, so ,-tliat each individual can personally deny tho'.Oriental Club's protest re .M'Lebd:;'.Then- this'letter of. "Fair Play". of Jiriie"23 should notibo passed over, and it ■seems;:a;'pity-tlie Selection' Committee should bo, brought, into : matters 'that should; only ! concern, tho Rugby Union and the clubs, and in justice, to those, men the union should 'give' 1 thorn" ft vOhaneo. bi,'.exonerating ■The'action,of any, olub being.allowed to in-., duco the'/best junior;players to leave their', •own clubs 1 to. help them win a. championship ;is. only, weakening the, future of club football, ffrir.'-it: not .only 'stops the increase 1 of senior ■cbilw,''but will help to, quicken the advent of the district) scheme. ■'■!! In conclusion, I now« ask ."Fair Play!' of Juno 22 how ho liked tho' manner,,in which the." public received 'the Ppiieke ;defeat on Saturday, and, how he liked ihe: cheers 'of the players .who were coming back from Petone .when :they heard,tho result ? r ;Now, sir, my letter havingihad the:de--sired-.effect the 'public attention' 'to;th'o .inner'workings, of club \ 'football, I ;don't intend'to-prolong this controversy,', but ; ,wjll;;thank'you : for. .the help you have given ;the. footballers' in.tryihg to sport—I am, otc/'H^-■;■■-, ' .■ v ., :'■•-,-. . • . „-' .'•■' 'X '.'"y-y TED WILSON.M' : Jun0'29..;;,.:,/.'.', .:'■■: •-.'.-/:■ ■