RUGBY & THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2461, 14 May 1915, Page 7

RUGBY & THE WAR

DOMINION POSITION

OVER 2000 PLAYERS FIGHTING

BIG MATCHES OFF

CONSIDERATION FOR SUSPENDED MEN WHO ENLIST. Rugby men's response to the Empire's call was referred to en several occasions at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union last evening. The secretary stated that it was estimated that over 2000 Rugby players had enlisted. The Wellington delegates mentioned that 400 of last season's players from Wellington City had gone to the front. The town of Wanganui was reportedto have sent 120 Rugby men. and tho Otago province claimed to have contributed 800 players and ex-players. A South Auckland delegate stated that his district had sent 170 -players, and Canterbury was said to have sent 240 players. Figures from other districts wore not asked for, as it was doubted if the compilation -of the figures really covered ail tho Rugby men who had enlisted.

The retiring president, Mr. J. Arneil, of Auckland, said that all would be glad that tjie union had such a fine lot of men who were ready to offer their services for tho honour of the Empire. I 1 requently, executive officers of the union had felt that their work was a thankless task, but they-were fullj recompensed when the men playing tho game made such an excellent response to their country's call. Perhaps the incoming committee could devise some scheme of co-operating with the Defence Office for tho further stimulation of recruiting amongst Rugby men. 'Applause.) Men who Offered their Lives. "I think," added Mr. Arneil, "it would be fitting for this meeting to pass a vote of condolence with the relatives of the young New Zealanders who have fallen in the attack on the Dardanelles. It is beyond question that wo are all under a great debt of gratitude to those who have given their lives at the front."

Th 6 meeting passed a motion as suggested, and adcted the expression of a hope that the wounded men would soon recover sufficiently to again take their places in the firing line. Furthermore, a letter will be sent to General Godley asking him to congratulate the men of the New Zealand Forces on their fine achievement at the Dardanelles.

As is already fairly well known, no New Zealand team will be chosen this year, and last evening it was resolved also that the customary inter-island match should be abandoned.

Speaking to the subject of the abandonment of the inter-island match, Mr. G. C. Facho said that all were aware that the men who played Rugby looked to the goal ahead. The goal in ordinary times was the New Zealand representative team. As there would be no New Zealand team this season, players might regard one or other of the island teams as the goal to be reached'. It was the union's business to remove any suoh temptation from players. Every man ■who went to the front, Mr. Fache remarked also, cave his life, or did what was equal to that—offered his life. The flower of Rugby, he was pleased to think, had enlisted. ■

No Plums for Non-Soldiers. "The plums of Rugby should not be open to those who remain behind," -was Mr. E. Wylie's view of the matter. While the men were fit to play Rugby they were fit to go to the front. Those players who had ties which kept them from going to the front would apjireciato that point of view.

• The new president of the Union (Mr. G. H. Mason) said that so long as they could keep tlie games going without interfering with recruiting they should do so. . The fittest men now soldiering were the players of outdoor games. He did not wish, however, to 6ee the interIsland match played. He had had letters from tho front, and they bore evidence to the fact that the men who stood the hard work there best were the regular players of such games as Kugby.

Another aspect of the subject of war find Rugby was raised in a motion to the effect that the Management Committee " should be instructed to favourably consider the removal of suspension of men who volunteer aud aro accepted for active service.

Thq .motion was carried, and it -was explained that ill is will relate only to the suspension of amateurs under the amateur rules; it will not apply to professionals. Players from whom suspension is removed will thus bo enabled to join in the camp Rugby.

No Interprovincial Tours. In stressing the fact that the proposal did_ _not apply to professionalism, the president said that tlie amateur Rugby men at the front "were very keen on maintaining their amateur status,' and a mateh which had been arranged between Canterbury and Auckland had been abandoned because Auckland insisted on including a disqualified League player in its team. It 'was reported to the meeting that a number of delegates had met prior t? the annual gathering, and had arrived at the conclusion that the annual P«™l t°, urs (the recognised visits) should not be made this season. The question or playing matches which might io desired by neighbouring unions is to be left to tho discretion of the unions concorned.