LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2448, 29 April 1915, Page 3

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR. (By Telegraph.—tress Association.) Auckland, April 28. At the meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Football League to-night, the proposed Australian tour, which has been the subject of so much criticism, was discussed.'. The matter; was brought up by the reading of a cablegram from the secretary of the New South Wales League which stated that his committee had decided to adhere to the original programme. •

Mr. Jas. Carlaw, president of tho New Zealand League, explained that as the invitation was received to tour Australia, the'.first match to be played in Sydney on June o, the New Zealand League had agreed to torn- providing matches were not played until August. Tliey had all seen the criticism in regard to the New Zealand League's acceptance of the invitation. The critics seemed to be of the opinion that the object of the tour was to make money, but such was not the case. The New Zealand League's idea was simply to repay the visit made by the New South .Wales team last year. They were not out to make money, but to foster the game. He advocated that the New Zealand League's share of the profits be handed over to the New Zealand Belgian Fund, but of course could not say what the New South Wales League would do with its share of the profits. He proposed that, provided tho New South Wales League agree to the dates suggested by the New Zealand League, the tour take place and that the net proceeds be handed oyer to the Now Zealand Belgian Fund. ' '

Mr. ])'. Gladding, in seconding the motion; said, that the Sydney papers had not looked at the matter 111 tne right light. The New Zealand League would not do anything to stop, recruiting, i. Mr. W. \V. iVi'Laren said the challenge came from New South. Wales, and although the Sydney papers had made a great song about this tour, nothing had been said about, other tours and the continuance of racing. He resented the biased Press criticism,'and'said they were not out for the particular purpose of making money, Football tended to keep men healthy in body and mind. Mr. B. S. Ussher Btated that the Belgian Fund would benefit to the extent of nearly £500 if the tour' was as successful as last season. The motion was carried unanimously. The matter was also discussed by the Auckland branch of the League, which also met to-night, and it was unanimously resolved that in view of the present crisis and the depletion of representatives from the ranks the time was not Opportune to send a team to Au& tralia.'