RULERS OF RUGBY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1125, 12 May 1911, Page 6

RULERS OF RUGBY.

DOMINION UNION. " STATE OF THE GAME. k DELEGATES UNEASY. .': IS.ALL AS IT SHOULD BE? (Tho annua! meeting of delegates to tho New Zealand Rugby Union was held yesterday at the Chamber of Commerce, the president (Mr. R. Galbraith)' taking the ' chair at 3.20 p.m. ' List of Delegates. 'Thedelegates present were: Dr. Jl'Evod M'Evedy, Mr. G. H. Dixon, and Matthews (Auckland), Messrs. 11. V. Kelly and L. Devere (Buller), Mr. M. Darlev (Bush Districts), Messrs. P. G. AVarburton, G.' H. Mason, I'. T. Evans, and AV. G. Garrard ; (Canterburv)',. Messrs. AV: J. M'Grath and 1 8. Laws (Hawkc's Bay), Mr. J. S, Fowler (Horowhenua), Messrs. F. Pirani arid H. P. Muller (Manawatu), Messrs. J. H. Morrison and J. F. O'Snllivan (Marlborough), i Messrs. N. Galbraith and A. G. Shrimptoa (Nelson), Messrs. A. Day, H. Harris, .(. Brodie, and R. M. Isaacs (Otngo), Mr. Geo. Lusk, and AV. Tnrata (Poverty Bay), Messrs. 11. M'lntyre- and Field (South Auckland), Messrs. H. itaos, E. AVyllie, and W. Mabm (South, Canterbury); Messrs. R. GiU.Kraith, I. Jenkins, R. Pyle, and J. : Jkiughton (Southland*, Kcv. Scott, Messrs. ■M. Crombie, a-nd AV. C.Cargill (larariaki), Messrs. G. Spriggens' and L. Craig (Wanganni),.Messrs. S. S. Brown, J. Lynekey, E. 0. Hales, and D. D. AVeir (Wellington), -Messrs. AV. Perry, G. C. Clarke, ! and J..Stenhouse (West, Coast).

r Balance-Sheot —Going Back a Little. f> : In placing the annual report and bal-' , a'nce-=heet (a precis of.which has been 'published) before the meeting, ■ the chan. t roan'remarked that during the year there. -. had been .a slight .financial loss made,; principally through the'North'and South Island match. The. loss, however, had ;becn so trivial that it was hardly worthy .of mention'.- During the past season they had had a visit' from an American Uni- w versity team, and'he was sure thatmuch t good would result-from the visit. Bugby ti visits to America would, in his opinion, P ■ be' more -frequent' than visits to England. t< (Applause.) ... ' Mr. W. Perry seconded the adoption of the report. 1! Next Possible Outlet-America. h Mr.'Garrard asked for an explanation of an i amount of .£513 2s. 2d. for the ■ American University tour, which appeav- ' ed on the balance-sheet us an asset. He ; 'wished to know why this amount had , not been finally .settled. lie thought a settlement should-have been arrived at hsfore this. ~,,,-, i The treasurer explained that, the mat- ' ter was still the subject of negotiation beitween New Zealand and New South 'Wales, and -he suggested that it should be discussed in committee. This was agreed to after somo little discussion. The whole matter was gone into at great i length, and a decision was come to that g the discussion was sufficient to indicate 0 the .feeling of the meeting on .the mat- } , tor. A motion moved by-Mr. Wylie was 0 ivithdrawn, in order that its terms would not be made public. r Mr. Pi'rani urged that some steps 0 should be taken later to amend the rules 0 so 'that, if a union thinks fit-to refer, a 0 point to the Management: Committee or 0 'the .'Appeal'-Committee," it'should be-dealt with in a decent manner, and not referred back as being out of order'. Ho' referred to what he called an . extraordinarv case in' his" district;'where the o Management Committee refused to deal a with an appeal, saying that it-was . a "J matter for the local' union.' He' also 1 'quoted other local cases to give strength '. I to his point. ' He thought that tho ~. 'Management Committee of the New Zea- ' (land Union should have power to deal iwifclv'ivery grievance, on. its merits. Jji his opinion it.would be in the interests of Rugby that we should look upon supposed .offences-against-, the-laws as leni.ently as' possible, and keep the game : as 'solid as possible. \": Mr. Dixon thought. the necessity for s appeal, wag undoubted. The question had j arisen several times before, but • delegates , had invariably thrown it out. He'thought that some' alteration.might bo made in j the direction. indicated. ; (_ Mr. Wylie also thought that tho rules c should be amended, giving the Management Committee of the' New Zealand ] •Union power to settlo these matters ..- ,[ ■ Messrs. Isaacs and Harris thought that r . it would be a bad day for football in New , '•• Zealand when' the New Zealand "Union /interfered too much in the government of : , local football. (Hear, hear.) The adoption of tho report and balance- , -sheet was then agreed to. ] -, • Amendment of the Rules. > ' The Wellington Union moved an addition to Eule 26 to the effect that members of the Appeal Council "shall not • be members of this union, or of the : Management Committee, officer, or fx- ; officer of any union affiliated to the New Zealand Rugby Union." This was agreed i to. A minor .alteration was made in the Tule which deals with the procedure to be adopted in case of a dissolution, so as to provide that.'-'any surplus moneys-re-maining after tho payment of liabilities shall be paid over to - such "amateur" club, union, or organisation, as the council :may "decide; 'Tho old rule simply read, •'Any club, union, or organisaion." 'Election of Officers. . The'election' of officers resulted a's'.undcr:—Patron, his Excellency tho Governor; president, Mr. George H. Dixon (Auckland); vice-presidents, A. Devo'ro (Auckland), .J. Colvin (Buller) ;■s?.-Vance (Bush Districts), G. H. Mason (Canterbury), T. Logan (Hawkc's Bay), j. Procter (ilorowhemia), J. 'Manning (Manawatu), C. 11. Mills (Marlborough), It. W. Stiles (Nelson), V. H. Campbell (Otago), W..8. Miller (Poverty Hay), T." Clarkin (South Auckland), A. Shirtcliil'e (South Canterbury), A. Gcddis (Southland), R. T. Bellringer (Taranaki), D. K. I/)gan (Wairarapu), G. Spriggens (Wanganui), ti. l'V C. Campbell (Wellington), J. Stcnhouse (West Coast); hou. treasurer, Mr. H. W. Kelly (re-elected). Management Comrnitteo: Dr. M'Evedy, Messrs. N. Galbrailh, A. Laurenson, K. M. Isaacs, M. Crombie, J. H. Laughton, and J. K. Wallburton. Appeal Council (to bo located in Wellington): MessrsrG. C; Facile,"A. Campbell, and E. Pirani.. Auditor: Mr. 0. G. Kember (re-elected). Representative on English Union: Mr. C.'.-AVray Palliser (re-elected). • . The Country Scheme. The sub-committee appointed to consider a scheme to give players outside .the,main centres more opportunities for consideration 'in 'the selection of- New Zealand and North and ' South Island teams reported as under:— As the selecting of tho above, teams is generally' confined to about six men, and, as the selectors are generally located in tho main centres, it is not practicable for them to obtain a general knowledge of the whole of the players, but in order to minimise this difficulty we have to suggest a scheme on thcfollowing lines:— (1) That the Unions of South Auckland, Poverty Bay, Bush, Manawatu, Horowhenua, and Wairarapa should contribute, say, each three men, making twenty-one in all, to form ■ a North Island country team, and play matches at Auckland, Taranaki, AVanganui, and Wellington. (2) That the unions of Marlborough, Nelson, Bnller, West Coast, and South Canterbury contribute, say, each four men, making twenty in all, to form a South. Island country team, and play matches at Invercargill, Dunedin, and Christchurch. The matches named would be against tho local unions. After tho teams complete their respective matches at Wellington and..Christchurch, wo would suggest that they should at once play against each other at. Wellington, at a date prior to the selection of players for the North v. South match. This would give the selectors of a New Zealand team an opportunity of making a selection fully representative of the Dominion, and also doing justice to the players ris a whole. If this' scheme is acceptable to delegates there are matters of detail which can he

easily arranged by the Management Com- j mittee, but we have to recommend that, after> making satisfactory, arrangements with the unions concerned for the use'of their grounds, the whole of the proceeds be pooled towards payment of the travelling expenses of both teams. The'financial risk to be on account of the New Zealand Union. Mr. M'lntyre moved that tho report;bc adopted. Ho was sure from the feeling in the country that some means must bo devised to give the country players-a chancD of being picked in big football. There were men in the country districts worthy of the best New Zealand could produce, but under the present conditions, they were given no chance in good company; He Tecognised that, tho larger unions would probably look/a 1 , the matter in the light of their engagements already entered into, ami its bearing on their finance, and they might oppose tho scheme. If the present scheme did not commend itself, he hoped that they would provide some scheme that would givo the country players their chance. The point, was a very important one to tho country footballer, and to football itself. Mr.- Pirani supported the scheme because of the improvement, which it would make in country football. It would do more good than any proposal to send- a team abroad. Mr. Isaacs also supported tho scheme. Some of the best players New Zealand ever had had come from the country districts. He thought that the scheme would prove itself if they gavo it a trial. Mr. Stenhouso was also in favour of tho proposal, which, in spite of tho expense it would necessitate, would, ho believed, prove successful and give an impetus to the game in the outlying districts. Messrs. Craig. AVeir, and R. Galbraith all supported the scheme. Mr. Perrv was-favourable to the general principle, but thought that there were some minor alterations that might 'be"made.' After outlining ; these, amendments, he. said that he would be willing that. the scheme should be referred to tho Management Committee to be carried out with- such modifications as they thought'necessary. This-was put in the form of an .amendment. Mr.- Morrison: ■•'"•We (Marlborough) don't, claim to have a firmament of our own, but we-do claim to. have a,-star or two, and we don't-want thenvto twinkle in the backblocks all'their'days." The amendment was carried. . Manav/atu Boundaries. , An application was made'by the Manawatu Union for permission, to alter certain of its.boundaries, and this was agreed to., The alteration "will enable Foxton to plnv in tho. Horowhenua Union, and Linton' to play for tho Manawatu Union. The Five Yards Throw-in. Tho AVellington Union moved as. follows in regard to the rule dealing with the ball in touch:— "That the resolution of the Manage-' ment Committee adopting the recommendation -of tho English Union vc- - gatding' penalty .for' breach 'of amended ' liaw''l2 bo rescinded;"-'and' "That the recommendation of the English Union in connection with tho alteration allowed in Law 12 (that.in the event of the" ball not alighting at right angles five'yards from' the touch-line a scrum be allowed) bo not agreed with, and that tho penalty where the ball does not alight five yards from the touchline be a free kick.','. •. "',

After some discussion, Mr.' Mason suggested, that the right penalty in the event of a side not throwing.the ball out five yards, would-be to .givo the ball to tho opposing sido to throw out; - Aft-er further discussion, the chairman ruled that the resolution was not in order, on the ground that, under the constitution of fife-New Zealand Union, there was no authority or right to alter the rules without the'sanction of the English Union. Should Wingers Be Abolished? The old debatable point as to whether or liot the wing-forward Was a benefit or a hindrance to the game, and the improvement of the rules, was raised by Hawke's Bay, which moved as under:

' "That, with a view to improving the ..vißiigby game,, .this, union desires to re- ' .commend the abolition of the wingforward play, and .tJi.at, the.-N.Z.E.F.U. be asked to obtain.expressions of opinion on this and other improvements from other unions, with a view to their submission to the English Rugby Union." Jlr. Jl'Grath, who moved: the motion, said ho was in rather a unique position, as he had to move something for his union in which he himself did not agree. Jlr. Fowler seconded'the motion. He thought it would be a step in tho right direction if the wing-forward was abolish-

ed. It was decided, with the consent of Hawke's Bay, to eliminate the latter portion of the motion, and simply discuss tho question of whether or not the wing-for-ward should go. . Mr. AVeir favoured tho motion. He differed from those who said that there was no need for improvement, in the game. If they held to this there would be no Rugby in five years. The game today was not as popular as it used to be. Tho schoolboys aid not want it, and the parents did not want it. (Cries of "Question.") Jlr. AVeir said that he spoke of AVellington and Dunedin. There were 3-i school teams playing "soccer" in Dunedin, and only half that number playing Rugby. For one wing-forward proper, there were hundreds of "scrappers." AVas it wise, he asked, to keep these two or three freaks, and the large number of "scrappers." The bulk of the "scrap-, ping and scrambling" was due to this' objectionable person, tho ' wing-forward. Ho hoped the union would do something towards bettering the game. They would have to do something to catch players, as the game of to-day was not suiting them or attracting them. Ho would support the motion. Mr. Pirani thought the abolition of the wing-forward would improve the game, and prevent rough play. Mr.. Neil Galbraith said that he. was convinced that' the discussion would be futile. The-wing-forwiird, would always be there, and the. only power to deal with him was the referee. (Hear, hear.) Jfr. Campbell disagreed with tho motion. The wing-forward originally was not objectionable, but, as regarded the way in which ho had been taught to play the game, he was objectionable. They did not want to legislate • against the wing-forward, but ■- against the way ho plays to-day. If necessary, they should move in the direction of getting increased powers for referees. If the union would move in this direction he would endorse

ami support such a motion. Dr. M'Evedy agreed generally with the last .speaker, biit'he thought that the referee had sufficient power at present if he only used it. If the referees would take a 'stand we would hear little of wingEonvavd abuses. They should move in the direction of impressing on referees the necessity for taking this stand. Mr. M'lnt'yro thought/that it was clear that the referee could not cope with the winger, and he thought that something should bo done. .It would be'better to adopt, the Northern Union rule that the .winger should not go past.the scrum until the ball was clear. -~.': Mr. Crombie did not think that there was the same abuse of the game By the wing-forward to-day that there had been a few venrs ago. He hoped that the motion w"ould be thrown out. Mr. Laws stated that it was common to find the wing-forwards fighting with each other. Referees admitted that the wiu"er was the hardest man to deal with on the field. Try as they would, that player would beat the referee. Mr. Lvhskoy thought that the referees had the'whole power in their hands. The rules were sufficient if they wero applied. The motion was lost. The Inter-Island Contest. It was moved, on behalf of the Canterbury Union, that the date .of the interIsland game bo fixed for June 3. Mr. Garrard said that the Canterbury Union held that >tho inter-Island match should be a trial match preparatory to the selection of the New Zealand team. Mr. Pirani moved that an addition be made to the motion of the words: "At Palmerstou North, if possible." Mr. Kelly moved a further amendment that all arrangements in connection with the North v. South match should ho left in Hio hands of the Management Committee. The motion was defeated, and Mr. Kelly's amendment carried. Concerning Spells, The secretary rend n. resolution from the New Zealand Referees' Association to the effect that the association recommends

that the New Zealand Union, in the event of the two caplains failing lo agree on the number of spells to be played, should order that four spells be played. The resolution was. received.

Jlr. Parala urged the formation of a separate sub-union for the Bay of Plenty, to amalgamate with Auckland. At the present lima tho Bay of Plenty is part of the Eolith Auckland Union. Mr. Parata poinled out that the Bay of Plenty Union would have something like, !)(! senior leanis. and (heir first desire if it could be attained was direct affiliation with the New Zeajand Union.

The South Auckland Union made no objection to direct affiliation with tha Now Zealand Union,, but expressed its unwillingness to agree to the Bay of Plenty's affiliation with Auckland.

Jlr. Pirani moved that the Bay of ' Plenty Union bo admitted as a separate union, and that the boundaries bo fixed by the Management Committee, provided (hat- the committee is satisfied that such a step should be taken. The motion was carried by 16 to 19. A Brusque Retort. A petition, signed by the Mayor and : some 120 residents of tho Bluff, asked that about 26 players who were disqualified for disobeying the ruling of the .Southland Union and playing "the Northern Union game in order, it was stated, to keep in training, should be reinstated. Mr. R. Galbraith pleaded the cause of tho disqualified men, and asked that tho Management Committee should review the cases, and see if they cannot take the players in question back. There was no team at the Bluff at present, and if these men were taken back, a team could be played. Tho chairman said that there was no doubt that tho New Zealand Union Management Committee made exhaustive inquiry at the time, and satisfied themselves that the offences necessitated expulsion. The rules provided that, in tho case of an expulsion of the kind, them was no ground for reinstatement. If tho Southland Union had any now information, he took it that the position was they should put it before the union. Mr. Pirani urged that the nvatter was one for the Appeal Council. Mr. AA'eir proceeded lo give a history of the case, when he was interrupted by Mr. Harris, who asked if this had anything to do with the matter. "Yes,, it has." was Mr. AVeir's polite rejoinder. ."Get your head read, Mr. Harris," he added. Mr. AVeir proceeded tn urge that Ike. men in.question should be if this course.was possible. ■ Mr. 'Mason said these men took the risk of the professional game being a failure. It had failed in Southland, and now they wanted to get back. If the professional gamo had not failed this application would never have been received. Mr. Jenkins explained in detail tho position which led to the expulsion of the men in question. "More About Soccer." He thought that if these men were reinstated it would ba for the good of the game. At present .there were six teams playing Association in Invercargill, and it was undeniable that the "soccer" game was getting a hold. Tho motion was carried on the voices. Mr. Kpriggins asked, whether, if amateur players practised with Northern League players, it meant that they must be disqualified. The chairman: "I don't think it necessarily 'means disqualification." He advised AVangauui to submit tho facts of any particular case to the Management Committee, and they would 1m furnished with a reply. "An Intolerable Position." "I would like to put before delegates tho intolerable position. that has arisen in regard to the Public Schools Union in Wellington," said -Air. Perry,. who proceeded to outline the position that had arisen between the Ai'ellington 'Rugby! Union and the Public Schools Union in regard to the refusal to admit the Marist Brothers to the schools' competition. Tho chairman did not think that Mr. Perry was in order. Mr. M'Grath protested, and urged that the matter was one of the most important of tho evening. They were fostering a hot-bed of professionalism. He knew that tho president ■of ' the Northern Union League had telegraphed the Marist Brothers asking them to affiliate with the league. Mr. O'Snllivan moved that the action of the Public Schools Union in AVellington be condemned, and that it bo recommended to the Management Committee of the New Zealand Union that it make further inquiry into the matter. The attitude of the Schools Union was, ,in his opinion, contemptible. He hoped that the New Zealand Union would take up the matter. Mr. AVeir seconded the motion pro forma. It was known that Rugby had not as many players in AVellington as it should have. This was their own fault. Thev had worked one hour when tho "soccer" people had worked nine, and he did not grudgo the latter what they had gained. They should recognise that school football was in an unsatisfactory position. Tho-Rugby, peoplo had been sitting tight too long. Mr. Pirani moved an amendment: "That this meeting congratulates tho AVellington Rugby Union on the steps it has taken to prevent any teams from primarv schools being prevented from takiii" part in schools competitions, and trusts that they will not relax their efforts until they are crowned with success." The whole thing, he thought, had been given undue prominence because it. was thought to bo tho fault of tho AVellington Rugby Union, whereas it was the fault of the teachers. With the game in tho schools under the control of the AVellington Union, he thought that things would be all right. Mr. Lynskey thought that too much had been mado of in public, and a mistake had been made in trying t> force the hands of the teachers, who had done a lot of good for football.. He thought that the matter should bo gone about in a canny way and that they should-not try to bounce people into doing what they did not want to do. Mr. Hales urged that the AVellington Union had not used bounce at. any stage of the proceedings. They fully realised the value of the teachers to the. game. The union appealed to tho teachers as sportsmen. ... Jlr. O'Snllivan withdrew his motion in favour of that moved by Mr. Pirani. Tho Rev. Jlr. Scott thought the action of the Schools Union was ill-advised. In Tarauaki peoplo were now saying that Rugby had no chance in AVellington, which was run by "soccer." The motion moved by Jlr. Pirani was carried. A vote of .£IOO was made for the encouragement of Rngby football in the primary schools. The meeting concluded at 12.30 after a vote of thanks to tho retiring president, tho chairman, and a vote of .£25 to the treasurer had been carried.