RUGBY TEAM TO GO TO AMERICA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1780, 19 June 1913, Page 6

RUGBY TEAM TO GO TO AMERICA.

IMPORTANT DECISION.

TOUR TO BE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR.

CONDITIONS * SELECTORS,

It was definitely decided by the New Zealand Rugby Union Executive last nijrlit that a team of New Zealand footballers shall tour California this year, fho matter has been under consideration lor somo time past. Soon, after the return of tho last Australian team, the New Zealand Union received an invitation from tho Rugby body in California, and conditions 011 which a team would make ilho trip were submitted to Mr. C. P. Campbell, a member of the Califorman Union then in New Zealand. The coniitions were as follow:— rho expenses of the members of the team from their homes and return thereto be guaranteed. The party to consist of. 21 players and a manager. Tho team not to play moro, than two matches per week, with not less than two clear days intervening between each match. Tho team to be located under one roof, rho manager of tho team to approve the referee before appointment to each match. All arrangements whatsoever concerning the team' to be subject to the approval of the manager. The matter camo up for final discussion last night, wlben the chairman of tho executive (Mr. N. Galbraitli) read a letter which 110 had received regarding tho proposed tour, while thero was also before the meeting a direct invitation from the Californinn Union. The suggestion was that .tho team should leave New Zealand in September next, and coninienco a series of matches in California in October. Consult the Unions or Not? Mr. 0. Dixon, considered that, as tho annual meeting of delegates had passed anil they had not been consulted, it would bo scarcely right that UlO executive should deal with such; an important proposal. Ho was strongly of opinion that it was too late in tho year to accept the invitation. Tho chairman recalled tho procedure that 'had been adopted when tho All Blacks went to England some years ago, tho team being selected immediately after tho North v. South match. Although there would only bo six weeks between tho date of this season's inter-island fixture and the date of departure for America, he saw no reason why all nominations could not be in beforehand and the team for America selected immediately after the inter-island fixture on July 26. He pointed out that tho main Question was whether the executive should deal with the matter without consulting the unions. He personally thought that they should deal with the.niatter themselves. Mr. R. M. Isaacs thought tb« unions ought to be consulted. It might interfere with their dates. Mr. F. G. Walburton said that he would like to seo the unions consulted, but he did not. see how it could bo done on the present occasion. ■ 1 Mr. E. Wylie was afraid that the matter would have to bo dealt with on this occasion without consulting the unions, but they should be immediately acquainted with the decision arrived at. The chairman and Mr. Walburton botli considered that if Mr. Wylie s plan were adopted thero would be time enough tc manage tho tour. — Mt. Dixon did not like the 3dea. H< considered that the best team could no! bo got together in the time, and ho was strongly fof opinion that th® tour shouW not bo undertaken now that tho annual meeting of delegates was over. Tho chairman pointed out that the mat ter had been made, public beforo the meeting of delegates, and if thero had beoij objection from any quarter he though that they would have heard from tome ol Isaacs mentioned that if the team left hero in September it would mterfoK with the test matches against New Soutl Wales. He did not believe m bringing e ' team over here, and not giving them games against teams : ou full strength. Ho did not think that th< team should leave hero until Octoboi. The chairman suggested accepting th invitation subject to confirmation oi thi terms offered and intimating that it woulc be preferred that the New Zealand teair should not leave until tho Octobel steamer.- . . Tho Decision. After further discussion, in whicf Messrs. Dixon and. Isaacs raised more ob jection to tho proposition, Mr. \vyli< moved: "That tho invitation of the tali fornian Union be accepted, subject to con firmation of the details expressed in tin letter to Mr. Cameron. As an amendment to this, Mr. Djxot moved, and Mr. Isaacs seconded: the Californian Union be informed thai the committee now find , that the time given ia insufficient for the team to bf arranged this season, and would j( prefei that it bo left until next season. - After it had been pointed out that ta< executive had obtained all the notice thej asked for (three months) the amendment was lost and Mr. Wylie s motion was C °lTwas stated that tho team will be away from New Zealand about thres months, and play in all eight or nin< matches, with a possible extension, tc British Columbia. On Mr. Dixons motion, it was Tesolved to send a circulai to all unions calling for nominations, anc stating that players would be allowec actual travelling expenses only. Discussion then took place as to th< dates on which nominations Bhouhl bf called for the North Island v. South Island match, to bo played on July 2«, and for the team to tour California Eventually, on the motion of the chairman it was decided that tho nominations for tho North v. South team be callct for July 7, and that the teams bo selected further decided that nominations for tho New Zealand representative tour'ing team should close on the same date. July 7. Provincial Union Selectors.

Advice was received that different unions had appointed selectors as follow pWellington, Mr. V. R. Meredith; Wnnganui, Mr. W. B. Scott; Taranaki, Mr S. Mvnottj Canterbury, Messrs. S. F. Wiison, L- Corbett', and A. Buchanan; Otaeo Messrs. V. G. Cavanagh, D. M. Stuart, and W ; Sinclair; Southland, Messrs A. Derbie, I. Jenkins, and D. Crawford; South Canterbury, Mr. Hasscl. Inter-Island Solectors. A resolution was carried approving of three selectors for each island, and appointing tho following to select the teams fnr the inter-island match:—Aorta IshudMessrs. D. Gallnher (Auckland),, S. Mvnott (Taranaki), and V. R, Meredith rWollinffton); South Island, Messrs. S. 1 4 . WilOT™ (Canterbury), V. G. Cavanagli (Otago), and I. Jenkins (Southland). Selectors for American Tour. On the motion of Mr. Walburton, it was decided that two selectors from each island bo appointed to select tho team fnr tho American tour. On a vote being hken Messrs. D. Gnllaher and S. Mynott were 'appointed in the North Island, and Messrs. S. F. Wilson and V. G. Cavanagli in the South Island. These selectors nre to be asked to witness the inter-island match at Christchurch on Saturday, July 20.