LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 247, 12 July 1919, Page 8

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL? DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL The Reserves Committee reported to the City Council last night that it had received a deputation from representatives of the Wellington Provincial Rugby Football League with reference to the league's application for the use of tho Basin Reserve, with permission to charge for admission on three dates to he arranged. The league delegates pointed out that (bey wero not a professional body, and that under their regulations payment to players was prohibited except in cases where it wa9 necessary to assist members of a touring team to meet expenses, fl'ho committee recommended that tho i'equest for tho use of the Basin Reserve on three dates to bearranged with permission to charge for admission should be granted, subject to the dates being within the psriotl that the reserve was available for use, viz., until September next. If it was uot possible to comply with this condition, the use of Newtown Park should be granted.

Councillor Luckie opposed the proposal. Be said that the league had not cleared itself from the charge of professionalism. The members of the Lengne team now touring Australia were receiving 10s. a day, phis all hotel and travelling expenses, equivalent to about .£5 a week. '.Hie league was the lineal descendant of the Northern Union, which was a professional body. The league had only four senior and four junior teams in Wellington, and had made no attempt to increase the numboj". The, sole aim and object of the league was to promote louring matches. The rules were claimed In prevent professionalism, but they provided lot' ihe payment of expenso money. The Leaguo did not seek playing grounds except vhere it could chiirgo for admission, and it did not seek to provide games for any large number of men or youths, e.vcept as spectators. It was notorious that in the English League hundreds of pounds were paid for tliu transfer of player?, and he had heard that .£SO had been -liFeretl a Itngby player in Auckland, to go over to the League. The League players simply wanted to live off the game.

Councillor TTutchiwn said I lie weight of evidence, was all against Councillor Luetic. The secretary of ihe T eague was a, prominent amateur cricketer, and he had slated definitely there was no professionalism. The Leapic v.as ready to play boys' teams at once if grounds were available. _ The committee had considered (he question thoroughly, Mid had satisled itself that tlte League's request should be granted. '1 ho League members were citizens who could not justly bo denied the use of the Basin Keserve. Councillor Luckie had voted in favour of allowing a professional boxing match to tako place, in the Town Hall. Councillor Eraser said ihe "All Black" footballers had their expenses paid in the- same way as the .',eague players. There was nothing now in the payment of amateurs for loss of wages.

Councillor Forsyth said that according to a newspaper report several, members of the council, including Uio Labour members, were vice-presidents of the league. (Laughter.) Councillor I'raser: I declined the honour.

Councillor Hutchison: T accepted it. Councillor Forsyth said at best the League game was merely spectacular. A morn handful of men played and thousands watched. As an old Rugby footballer, he hoped the council woiild reject the report, which was giving countenance to a movement (hat was the thin end of professionalism.

. Councillor C. Dale mentioned that His Majesty the King was president, of the League in England. Tf. was not possible for men of small means lo tour with snorts teams unless their expenses were paid. He hoped the council would lot be squeamish and narrow-minded in dealing with Hie question. Councillor M'Kenzie asked why Ike ratepayers should pay for the vipk'cep of grounds to be used lo make money for professional players. The League game was professional in tone. Tho League did not encourage young players. Councillor Clover: How does it get ilfl players? Councillor M'lCenzie: It usually lakes them out of Rugby football. Tho'Leaguc team now in Australia look one of fho best Rugby players. Councillor Frost said fhe evidence before the committee had all gone lo show that League football had no taint of professionalism. After further discussion the Reserves Committee's recommendation was approved by 10 votes to (!.