RUGBY REFEREES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 7

RUGBY REFEREES.

ANNUAL KORERO. STRUGGLE WITH THE RULE BOOK. TORTUOUS INDEED. The annual conference, of delegates of tho New Zealand Referees' Association opened at the Town Hall yesterday. There were ( present: Messrs. K. M : Isaacs (president), O. H. Katterns (Auckland), P. Spurdlo (Taranaki), J. Holland (Wanganui), G. R. .Freeman (Manawatu), D. M'Kcnzie (Wellington), T-. Feilding (Wairarapa), C. Stubbs (Hastings), G. Logaiv (Nelson), H. E. Hiddlestone (Canterbury), Ross (Otago), J. M. Robb (Southland), Chisholm (Marlborough),' and Angus Campbell (Auckland). . / Tho Fiv.e Yards Rula, The conference confirmed the following rules of the executive upon questions stated during the year by provincial associations. Tho provinces from . which the 'questions camo are shown in parentheses: — A brief discussion took place on the penalty lately provided by the English Rugby Union, and subsequently approved by the New Zealand Riighy linion, for a breach of the rule that on a lineout tho ball must be thrown out not less than five yards from touch. The following ruling of the executive, given in response to a question stated by the Southland Rugby Union, was approved by tho conference: — , If, in the opinion of the referee, a player wilfully, throws the ball.out from touch less than five yards, or wilfully prevents it being thrown out five yards, the penalty of a free-kick should be awarded to the non-offendirig side. . This decision, it was pointed'out later, does not conflict with the ruling of tho English Union that tho penalty shall bo a scrummago ton yards out. There is a general provision in the Laws of Football which meets the case. It states that whero a rule, 'for which the ordinary penalty is a scrum, is wilfully or systematically broken, the nonoffending side shall be entitled to.a Jreokick. . . -~ IJ '■'-. Ccnduot of Linesmen. A referee may appoint a fresh linesman if the man originally appointed is incompetent or unfair. In the ease of his being ''wilfully unfair," tho referee should report him to his union. (South Taranaki.) Player en tho Ground. A player lying on tho ground cannot tackle an opponent carrying tho ball. Ho is entirely out of play. The executive is of opinion that when a player ' falls to the ground his first effort should bo to got up. If ho does not attempt to do this, and remains on tho ground, so- that continuation of play becomes dangerous, or if he, whilst remaining on the ground, interferes with the ball or with any player, he should be penalised. (Otago.) .- A player who jumps into the air and takes the ball may clairii a. fair catch by calling out "mark," and a free-kick should be awarded to him even though he is prevented from coming to the ground and making a mark with his heel. (Wellington.) If a player, by his action, makes tho opposite side believe that he is going to take .1 place-kick, and then, wjthout warning, takes a punt or drop-kick, the referee shall , insist that the placekick be taken. (Otago.) Off-Side Play. An off-sido ''-is , pltfced .on-side and may bo permitted to play on (irrespective of which, position on tho field he may occupy) in tho <,vent of the ball having been kicked by one. of his own side, and, during its flight, touching an opponent, provided that he (the off-sido player) is not within the ten yards limit from tho opponent the ball touched, .The .decision is subject to a proviso ."that, up to tho time the ball touched his opponent, the off-sido player has not committed any broach of the second part of Law 8" (dealing with off-side play.)' (Auckland.) Powers of Reflects. The referee has power to accept tho timekeeper's decision or not.' Timekeepers are appointed only by the refereo to assist him, and the referee is the sole judge.—(Auckland.) The blowing of tho whistle by a referee is merely to stop the game, and the subsequent decision he may give must bq made verbally.—(Horowhenua.) The, interpretation to bo placed on the word "forced" k physical force, such as pushing a player.—(Hawke's Bay.)

In the event of a kick at goal after a try lias been scored, if the referee decidos that the kicker, through milking three or four attempts at goal, wastes time, and disallows tho kick, the'game should bo restarted by a drop out. — (Wellington.) An oft-side player who has retired beyond the ten yards' limit, is not at liberty to-charge-an opponent who has the ball until he is placed on-side.— (New Zealand Union.) In a scrummage it is necessary that tho players should bo touching:—(New Zealand Union.) The kicker (when a place-kick is being taken) has power to handle the ball when it is not on tho ground.—(Excai- , tive.)

Any player, except the kicker, may place, or, after a charge has been disallowed, he or another of his side (other than tho kicker) may replace the ball or alter the spot for a place kick.—(Executive.)

It was agreed that affiliated associations be recommended to abolish the "two-flag" system at present followed by linesmen, and to adopt a system under which touch-judges indicate, by raising an arm, the side to which the ball belongs. ' It was decided to recommend to the New Zealand Rugby Union, "That in the event of tho captains of two teams failing to agree as "to the duration of epells, four spells be played." A Proposal Rojontod. It was moved by Mr. Hiddlestone, "That it be a recommendation to the associations in New Zealand that the referee put the ball in the scrum on every occasion." This innovation, said tho mover, would make football brighter, better, ■ and finer than at present, and would go far towards doing away with tho harshness and hr.rd kicking that often occurred in scrums at the present time. Mr. M'Konzie objected that if tho amendment were adopted it would lead to unpleasant comment as to the manner in which tho referoo placed the ball in the scrum. Moreover, if by accident a referee put the ball in tho scrum unfnirly nobody would bo penalised and tbe «amo would go on. The motion was lost on the voices. This concluded the business of the conference. ANNUAL MEETINC. THE LOCALE OF HEADQUARTERS. Following on the conference above reported, tho annual general meeting of tile New Zealand Referees' Association was held, Mr. It. M. Isaacs presiding, o.rid the same delegates being pivsent as attended the conference. The report (previously published) and balance-sheet were adopted. Dunedin Socks Control. -On bohalf of the Otago Association, Mr. Ross moved: "That the Management Committee of the New Zealand Referees' Association be located in Dun-

edin until such time as the delegates I decide otherwise." Supporting his motion, Mr. Ross stated that "this was not the first time the proposal to shift the headquarters had como from Otago. The Management Committee, in its annual report, almost recommended that tho hcadquarers should be shifted from time to time. The speaker did not wish to cist any reflection on the present or any prior committee of the association; they had carried out their work creditably. Ho thought, however, that it would bo in -the interest of the referees and footballers generally if the association headquarters were located each year in a different centre. If this course were adopted, referees would bo kept more in touch with their duties and the effect would bo in every way beneficial. Even though tho headquarters were removal to Dunedin, Mr.'Ross concluded, it did not follow that the annual meeting would be held in that town. ■ Mr. Robb seconded the motion. A Point of Vantage. Mr. Spurdle thought the headquarters should remain at Wellington on account of its central situation. This was the spot in which tho Itugby governing body was located, and all business between tho union and the association could thus be expeditiously transacted. The latter body would not benefit by shifting its headquarters. Mr. M'Kcnzie opposed the motion. He asked whether the executive had arrived unanimously at its decision (as expressed in the annual report). The chairman said the executive had not been unanimous. An Efficient Committee. As showing that the executive had not degenerated during its stay in Wellington, Mr. M'Kenzic pointed out that every ruling of the executive, save one, sent forward for approval, had been approved by tho conference just ended. A body that had given such satisfaction should" not bo removed. The speaker considered that, until the New Zealand Rugby Union shifted its headquarters, the committee of the Referees' Association should be located in Wellington. Tho conference should be held in different centres, but, while the associations were being served so well by the present executive, they should not change lipi-sps ■in midstream. Changing now would introduce a risk of the- Utago people altering u.i , decisions come to by the executive and confirmed by tho conference. This contention was borne out by what had happened some years ago when Auckland disagreed with decisions arrived at in ..Wellington, and Dunedin disagreed with both. One or two other delegates spoke against the motion. Proposal Thrown Out. Replying, Mr. Ross reminded his auditors that in 1005 the association decided that its headquarters should, be movable. However, he did not desireto force the proposal on the association. The motion was lost;

Mr. kattens, on behalf of the Auckland Association, moved: "That the by-laws of the association be amended, so as to provide that there shall bo a biennial general meeting instead of an annual general meeting, and that it be held in Wellington."

'On tho motion of Mr. Stubbs, it was agreed that all tho words after "annual general meeting" should be struck out. Tho amended motion, after a short discussion, was put and lost. Eventually. it was agreed, on tho motion of Mr. Stubbs, Mr. Ross seconding, that the next annual meeting should be held at Hastings.

It was decided to recommend to tho executive that tho next annual meeting and conference should be held during Easter, 1912. .„., -to i<.o»w-uu <■.*<< Some discussion took place on tho classifying of associations as "Country" and "Metropolitan." Most of the delegates agreed that the distinction was wrong in principle, and eventually it was decided that it should be abolished.

Office-boarers. The following officers wero appointed for tho ensuing year: —Patron, his Excellency the. Governor; president, Mr. R. M. Isaacs; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Campbell (Auckland), A. M'Bain (Florowhcmia), H. Card (Wellington), V. Higgins (Wairarapa), vj. J. Martin (Poverty Bay), W. Cooke (Nelson), H. E. Hiddlestone (Canterbury), A. M'Gavcck (Southland), L. Craig (Wαnganiii), W. Keith (Hastings), J. H. Morrison (Marlborough), W. T. Ross (Otago), and the president of the Taranaki Association; committee, Messrs. J. Lawton, F. Laws, G. Howe, L. Siovers, and F. A. Hempleman; nnditor, Mr. C. H. Manson; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. J. M. v ßobb. ; . At five o'clock the meeting adjourned for two hours. THE EVENING SESSION. P AYM ENTS TORE FER EES. When the meeting resumed at seven o'clock a discussion took plr.ee upon tho .subject of payments, other than travelling expenses, made to referees. At its annual meeting in 1909 the association passed a resolution providing that referees officiating in matches outside their own district should be entitled to demand a payment of 10s. per day, in addition to travelling expenses. Subsequently the New Zealand Rugby Union altered tho amount to 15s. per daj. "A Scramble for Penca."

In moving that the provision in reference to the payment of referees should be struck out, Mr. Hiddlestone (Canterbury) remarked that the payment of referees, if continued, must end in the payment of players. Since the referees had been the first to introduce payment, it might be said that with them rested tho blame of having brought football from the high level it had once- occupied to "a scramble for the ponce." Payment Abollshad. Mr. M'Kenzio considered that the honour of officiating in u senior representative match should satisfy any referee. If it was right that a representative referee should be paid los. per day it was equally right that referees playing in lucal matches should be paid a certain amount. One effect of tho los. a day payment was that referees had been to a great extent deprived cf the pleasant trips they used to get. In scarcely one of three matches played last season had a "foreign" referee boon appointed. Tho resolution abolishing the payment was carried on the voices. The chairman stated that it would still be open to a referee to apply for payment, but unions concerned would not bo bound to pay. , Certificates and their Values. Mr. J. M. Rohb moved: "That a certificate be awarded to '.ill referees who officiate in inter-union or liko matches, provided that they have been appointed by the New Zealand "Union Appointment Board, and have been classified by a Metropolitan Association as senior referees for a period of at least three years." In view of tho earlier decision of the meeting abolishing -Metropolitan Associations, the reference to these bodies was deleted. Mr. M'Kcnzic condensed his Views in a statement that tho certificates,, n issued, would probably end up at the destructor. The mooting had decided to do away with the payment of 15s. per day to referees. He did not son- why they should trouble about certificates which would be of no particular value to anybody. ■ Several amendments wore proposed, nnd eventually it was agreed.: '"I hat a certilicato bo awarded to all referees who officiate in inter-union or like matches."

This was tlio only motion upon which :•. division was taken cither at tlio conference or at tho meeting which followed. Tlio division ilist showed :—For the motion: Otago, Marlborough, Nelson, Taranaki, Wanganui, Wairarnpn, Auckland, and Hastings. Against: Southland, Canterbury, Horowhemia, and Wellington, Touching a Tangle. Mr. M'Keiizio moved: "That the handbook (of laws) bo reprinted, and that tho case law be revised and simplified by the compilers of the. handbook." A statement contained m the animal report: ."The time has arrived when the voluminous case law appended to the various laws should be thoroughly revised and simplified, for the retention of many of the old rulings renders tho law difficult for the referee to administer and for tho player to understand," was quoted by Mr. M'Kenzic with approval. "I am not worrying about tho player," ho declared, 'but I certainly think, from personal experience as' chairman of tho local association, that tho time has come when tho case law should bo revised and simplified." Standard interpretation. Mr. Robb said a great majority of tho case law interpretations had been taken from a circular letter sent out by tho English Rugby Union a few years ago. This formed a standard interpretation of the laws of tho game. To merely revise the New Zealand interpretations would make very little difference to the handbook. Mr. M'Kcnzie: "Deal with the circular letter as well. You have given decisions upon it!" Mr. Eobb said the association was certainly free to modify its oivn interpretations, but if it touched the English Rugby Union's ■circular the association would bo doing something that it had.no right to do. The chairman: "Leave it to the compilers. If they can't do it they can't do it." Mr. M'Kcnzio suggested that tho decisions of tho New Zealand 'Referees' Association micht, as at present, follow tho laws. The English Union s circular letter could be printed by itself at tho end of the handbook. This had been done years ago in "The Foothall Annual." . The motion, as proposed, was enrrietl, and Messrs. D. M'Kennie, J. M. Robb,' and F. A. Hcmpleman were appointed, to act as compilers. Cleaning tits Slate. Tho Executive Committee was cmpowered to strike the Dannevirke Referees' Association off tho list of affiliated associations 11111033 its. outstanding subscriptions are paid by April 30. The usual honorarium of £10 was voted to the secretary (Mr. J. M. Robb). A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Wellington Association for the manner in which its members had entertained visiting delegates. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the president (Mr. R. M. Isaacs) for presiding.