ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 12

ASSOCIATION.

(Bi Centbe-Half.)

OTAGO INVADERS ARRIVE. Who Will Win To-day? The clash between Wellington and Otago takes place on the Basia Reserve this afternoon. Tho prize is the Brown . Shield, which, is at present held by Wei- f lington. Both teams are reported to be fit and well, and a real good "go" is ex- " pected. ( "Who will win to-day?" is a question v which will bo asked by practically every 1 "soccer" enthusiast in the city. And it I is a rather difficult question to answer. < Still, one may; say that it is doubtful * whether our visitors from the south will J be taking the Brown Shield home with t them in tho Mararoa this evening. * Otago Opinion of Otago's Team. > From reports received from Dunedin it ] is gathered that Otago is a strong team, ( and will givo the local men a good run. , Summing up Otago's team, a rather j graphic writer iu tho Dunedin "Evening Star" says:— I "The Brown Shield team will not please all. Whether Wellington will be defeated remains to be seen. All tho forwards are scoring men. Will tho halves do the needful? Much responsibility rests with them. Tommy Young's leg is still troubleeome. Will it be safe to send him? Had Joe M'lvor been playing regu- ■ larly, probably he would have filled the bill. Let tho'team take man for man, and keep the opposition moving. If Wollington are allowed to settle down to their game the match, is theirs. Make attack your defence, and go right out from start to finish. The effort must come from Otago—not from Wellington. I can't throw bouquets at tho halves. They are slowrathcr of the plodding order. Again, combination between J. Timlin and G. Forbes is doubtful. Let us hope for the best. My good wishes go with the team." Well-Deserved Honour for Belhamio. There have on ylbeen two changes in Wellington's team since they played Canterbury on June 3. Belhamio has replaced Hollis as goalkeeper, and Rickerby has replaced Brownlee. Belhamie (Brooklyn United) is a man we liavo heard a lot about this season, and on recent showings in cup matches ,ho deserves his place. It was stated in thiß column last week that this new man would give Wellington's recognised keepers a good "go" for representative honours, and those prognostications have proved correct. Best Wishes,. The match is to commence at 2.15 p.m., and it is anticipated that, given fine weather, the crowd on the' Basin this afternoon will be a record one, judging by the attendances at recent cup matches, .. and also at the Canterbury match, when ■ 1500 people were present, this eeems like-, i ly. In conclusion, "Centre-Half" wishes i Wellington the best of luck, and expresses ; the liopo that they will retain the shield, but, above all, may the best team win. Championship Position!. ' The following table shows the positions ' of the various teams in the First Division [ Championship at the conclusion of last ' Saturday's games. It will bo noticed 1 that some teams have played one match 1 moro than others, this being on account f of a bye having to bs allotted each Saturday

. S .<g nd 2-S S? 0 g tj 3 K S-g S£P, 3 $«) 0& Thistle 8 7 1 0 21 7' 15 Corinthians... 7 5 2 0 25 6 12 Hospital 7 5 1 1 20 6 11 Y.M.C.A 6.3 2 1 21 7 8 Diamonds 7 3 2 2 20 18 8 Wanderers ... 7 3 2 2 11 17 8 Brooklyn U.... 8 2 2 4 10 18 6 Swifts 7 2 1 i 10 16 5 St. John's .... 7 0 3 4 8 17 3 Brooklyn 7 0 1 6 7 26 1 Kovers ' 7 0 1 6 2 1 Secretary of W.F.A. Replies to Criticism. Wellington, June 9, 1913. Dear "Centre-Half,"—

Keiernng to your notes in The Dominion of Saturday. June 7, you comment on the action of the W.F.A. in instructing its delegates to point out at the annual meeting of the N.Z.F.A. that as the association has a rule which debars a player from acting on its management committee, the same rule should bo brought to bear against a player being elected to office on the council of the N.Z.F.A.

Now, I do not think you are quite correct in the statement made regarding the matter. 1 You will, I think, agree with me that the fact of the W.F.A. debarring players from its management committeo has worked wonders ior the good of the game in Wellington, and the association submit that the same rule must therefore debar its players from acting as officials of the council. In the first place, the question of the W.F.A. dictating to the N.Z.F.A. over the matter does not enter into the discussion at all, as the association would be the very last to try and dictate to that body, and, further, the association is hardly likely to bo afraid of losing any of its own players, as you assume. What is objected to is that, having a rule debarring players from the management of the game, it is hardly likely the association is going to stand by and allow its own players to bri elected to the governing body, and on occasions probably express opinions, and vote on matters affecting the W.F.A. You will, therefore, perceive that it is considered there is a valid reason why a player should be ineligible to sit on the council and air his views. That the man elected to the position should have been re-elected was not fair to himself, owing to the fact that he was absent from the meeting, and had not given notice of his desire to be re-elected, and, therefore, in reappointing him, he was placed in the unpleasant position of either having to resign his position as treasurer, or as a player of his club. I submit, Sir, that it is a most unfair predicament in which, to place him. That he is an enthusiastic worker for the game, I grant you, but surely his en thusiasm is better shown in playing for his club, who need his services, than as a legislator of the game at the present time.

My own opinion is that we have at present many men who could take on the position >of treasurer without desiring players to do so, and one of these should bo approached to accept tho office. In referenco to your point regarding the rule of the I submit 'that the rule you quoto—that is, Rulo 2, Section (b), does not affect the Provincial Association's rules in any way. If it does, then, I take it, the N.Z.i.A. should state as to what rules all associations should play under. You will probably remember that tho secretary of the N.Z.F.A. stated at the annual meeting he had taken legal advice, and had teen informed that thejule in question was perfectly in order.

Does not this settle your argument regarding tlio council having power to overrule any association's rules, providing, ol course, they are formed for the good of the "ame, which I submit the rule of the W.F.A. is. . . In conclusion, is it not time that you, as a writer of Association football notes, should give some comment on those men who aro representing more bodies than one In my own opinion, no man should be allowed to act on more than one body. Yet what do we find? Why, one man acting as a membor of the Management Committee of the W.F.A., Management Committee of the W.R.A., as a vice-presi-dent on the council, and, further, on the N.Z.it.A. If this man is able to do his duty fairly on tho various matters brought forward for consideration, without "wobbling" now and then, well, all I can say is he is a hero. There arc also instances of others acting on two todies. With so many enthusiasts about at the present time, 1 fail to see how the best interests of the game are being arrived at under tho existing stato of affairs. Trusting you will not take my remarks amiss, as wo all recognise the good work being done by our enthusiastic writeis on tho various papers,-! am, [Since the above letter was received a new treasurer has been appointed to the .N.Z.F-A.-r'.'Contre-Half, }