THE "SOCCER" GAME.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 2

THE "SOCCER" GAME.

DELEGATES IN COUNCIL, ANNUAL MEETING. ENGLISH TOUR PROSPECTS. Tho nunu.il meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Football Association was hold at tho V.M.C.A. last evening, thoro being present: Mr. H. M'Kcown (Uawke's Buy), in tho chair, ami Messrs. J. M. Oilier and A. F. is'cwbold (Auckland), W. J. H. Reynolds (I'ovorty Buy), W. E. Weils (Huwko's Bay), J. U. Pa'lon (Mannwatu), H. L. Godber (Ota.go), W. Auld (Ttti-aiiuki), H. Yccuiaiis (MarJborough}, J. I', Atkins (Wellington), B. L. Salmon (secretary), and W. M. Matheson '(treasurer). Mr. Baructt, a visitor from Canterbury, was also present.

Speaking to tho motion for tho adoption of the annual report (previously published in The Dominion), tho chairman referred to the remarkable progress of the Association game, in New Zealand, and remarked that it was to the credit of tho affiliated associations that tho gamo was played in a clean spirit. They had every reason to believe that "soccer" . football would eventually bo tho most popular winter snort in Now Zealand. Mr. B. L. Salmon said that tho game right throughout tho South Island was in a very healthy condition. This, ho said, was a matter for great satisfaction. The report and were adopted. International "Soccer." Tho most important matter brought forward for discussion was the question of arranging for tho visit of a. team from England. In this connection a letter from Mr. H. N. Holmes (ln.te general secrotary of the Y.M.C.A. in Wellington, and u prominent oilieial in Association football government), who is now iu America, was read. The writer mentioned that tlio California. Football Association would consider tho possibility of getting an English team or' footballers to visit San Francisco at tho time of tho Fair in 1915, and it occurred to him that it would bo a good plan for New Zealand to cooperate, and arrange for the tour to be extended (o New Zealand and Australia. Tho secretary (Mr. 13. L. Salmon) said that, acting under instructions irora tho rauncil ho hud written to the English Football Association on the general question of international contests. Prefacing his letter with tho remark that the ' on.y way to satisfactorily put the game on a Strang footing as regards public support I and as an education to our younger players—in fact io give everybody an opportunity of seeing an exhibition uf the game as it should be ployed is to secure the visit of a team of players of the first rank," he had asked upon what conditions tho English Council iwould send a team. His letter was only a preliminary one on tho subject, for details in connection with sucli a bis tour could not posI sibly bo arranged iu a few months. He ! understood that tho California!! Football Association was likely to ask for the visit of an English team during the time of tho Exhibition and Fair in San Francisco in 1915, nnd. it might be possible for the tour to our colonies to be arranged as part of the same programme. Mr. W. G. Wills (Hawke's Bay) said that they should try and arrange for (ho English touring team to come to New Zealand after playing in America in connection with the San Francisco Exhibition. Failing Hint they should endeavour to amuse for a visit from a team from a sister State. Tho chairman (Mr, M'Keown) said that that was nil very well, but they had no money, aud enterprise of this kind meant money. Tho secretary's letter was endorsed and it was referred to tho affiliated associations to consider tho question of contributing £5 each over a period of threo years to provide the nucleus of a fund to nieot tho expense of .briiiginjr. out .an English team to' Mir 'Australasia,"" ■

Amendments to Rules. Mr. B. Ij. Salmon moved ia tho absence of Mr. C. E, Fordhnm:— "That due notice of all offending players and clubs must be sent to the secretary of this association within fourteen days "of the decision being arrived at, together with copies of all letters and evidence bearing on the matter."—Addi•tion to Rule 18. The reason for this addition to tho rule, it was pointed out, was that it was necessary to have before tho council nil tho evidence bearing on questions relating to 'disqualifications and penalties imposed upon players and clubs, in cases referred to the council for confirmation. Tho motion was carried. It was agreed to add to Rule 8, the words, "such roturn to bo accompanied by a copy of the association's rules." A new rule was moved by Mr. B. L. Salmon:— "That no player, who is registered by any one association in any one season, shall be allowed to play under the jurisdiction of any other association during the same. season without tho consent of the council." The mover instanced casos which, ho coiisidcred, offered substantial grounds for tho regulation ho proposed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wells, who instanced the case of Dunedin on Saturday and Southland on Thursday. This happened on three occasions, and was ft breach of tho "football spirit." .Some rule was desirable to prevent tho importation of players. In tho case ho instanced this particular player was imported by a weak club for. the purpose of strengthening its chances or victory. Mr. >T. M. OUier moved as an amendment, to insert a specified time-limit— H days—for tho consent of tho council to be returnable. A further amendment was moved !>y Mr. Wells to tho effect that "tho decision of tho council Ins asked for only in cases of financial liability of a player, and subject to the association or club from whom ho desires n transfer being, satistied that tho transaction is a legilnnato one," was lost, and tho original motion, with Mr. Ollier's amendment incorporated, was adopted. In tho namo of Mr. C. E. Fordham, it was moved by Mr. Wells: "That tho referee shall send tho result of the match to tho secretary of this association in writing within throe days after tho match is pln.ved, accompanied by a report of tho game."—Addition to Rule 13 of tho Brown Shield matches. Mr. Salmon pointed out that ;t had happened in tho past that the Council had been asked to d«al with eases of misconduct in n Brown Shield match when no evidence had been supplied by tho referee.

An amendment to substitute "his report of tho game" for the words "a report of Hie game," was moved by Mr. W. Auld (Tnraiiaki). Olio of tho speakers remarked that if such n rule lmtl boon in operation lost year, the referee's report of tho AVolling-lon-Cautorbury match would have boon a very poculiar one. What was really desired was some information regarding the general conduct of tho m>me. Tho motion as amended by Mr. Auld was carried. Other Matters. A new Association—South Canterbury, fins! tho twelfth lo date—was granted a'ffiliatiion subject to tho approval of the Canterbury Association as regards district boundaries. Tho secretary reported that challenges for the Hi-own Shield matches had been received from Poverty Hay, WaiigniHii, Wellington, and Otago, i'n tlie 'order named. Thc«e were referred to the incoming council. Tho foiloniiscf are Iho hojMirnry officers for the year:— Patron, his Excellency the Governor (T.crd Islington); preMulcnt, Sir Joseph Ward; lion, treasurer. Mr. W. M. Jltilheson; hon. secretary, Mr. B. L. Salmon; roprescntative to t.ho Football Assoc'atioii, Ltd.. Mr. A. E. Oibbs; hon. auditor. Mr. A. G. Barnett; lion, trustees, llessrs. W. M. Mp.theson and J. M. Oilier; council (to l>o appointed by tho affiliated associations).