THE RUGBY GAME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 216, 31 May 1918, Page 6

THE RUGBY GAME

•. STATUS OF AMATEURS. That' Rugby football unions / should have the right of reinstating players who may have broken their amateur status was a subject discussed at last night's annual meeting of tho council of the Now Zealand Rugby Union. The Canterbury Union brought the matter up by submitting the following resolution:— "That this meeting of delegates is strongly of the opinion that the New Zealand Rugby Union should fmyc. ve?ted in it tho right to reinstate any player who may have broken his amateur status by means other than those of accepting monetary payment in connection with tho game; further, it strongly urges the incoming executive to exercise the power of reinstatement during the current season, and to inform the English Union t of its intention in tho matter." Mr. A. B. M'Phail (Canterbury), speaking in support of the motion, said tho object of the proposal, was to meet tho cases of such -men as returned soldiers who might have played with professionals while thoy were away from New Zenland. The Canterbury Union hnd no intention of condoning professionalism, and were only actuated by the strongest motives in support of amateurism. They should give young players a ciuiuco of reinstatement. Mr. C, Buchanan (Canterbury) seconded the resolution. Mr. G. H. Dixon (Taranald) submitted that' under its rules the union had no power to put the spirit of the resolution into effect without the approval of the English Union. It was pointed out that returned soldiers who 'had played with professional!) in Army matches would not be pennlised when they returned to civilian life. The English Union had given such a decision. Mr. E. Wylie (Poverty Uav) said that a man could not be disqualified until he had been "reported; if not reported he retained his amateur status. Mr. F. .T. Ohlson (Auckland) moved as an amendment: "Tha.t. this meeting of delegates directs the Management Committee to forward to the. English Rugby Union tho following resolution: 'That an alteration or addition be made to tho rules to professionalism to provide th.it the New Zealand Rugby Union have the right to reinstate any player who may have broken his amateur status by means other than those of accepting nionetarv payment in connection with the game.' " After further tliscussinn, it being pointed out that the English Rngbv Union desired further information: on five point, tho resolution and amendment were withdrawn, and it was decided to call upon the local unions to state tho special circumstances calling for the reinstatement of players who mny have broken their amateur status.