AUCKLAND'S POSITION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 9

AUCKLAND'S POSITION

Tho position of tho AucKond Union respecting the playing of-the amended rules was sctincwhat more definitely denned at last evening's meeting of the Management Committee of tho Now Zealand Rugby Uuion. There wero present:— Messrs. B; A. Marris (in tho chair), A. C. lutto, J. T. M. Piki, G-. W. Slade, mi ono:s ' al 'd Dr. Ritohio Crawford. Tho correspondence with, the Auckland Union on tho matter recalled that on Juno 19, tho Auckland Union asked permission to continuo playing tho fivo amended rules until the eud of the season, and on" June 21 tho union was informed that'tho'permission could not bo granted, but, pending the receipt of- a letter from the English Rugby Union, exception would not be taken to Attckj land playing in its cup fixtures the throo I amended rules passed at the annual meeting of tho Now Zoaland Couuoil ou May 29. Tho Auckland Uuion wrote on June 21 intimating that the motion asking permission to play tho' amended rules had been rescinded. In reply to a telegram from tho New Zealand union, tho Auckland Union telegraphed on • July '29:— , "Management Committee, Auckland Rugby Football Union, hap decided adhero to docision of New Zealand- Council May 29." A further communication from tlio Northern Union stated, that Mr. Jones was fully conversant with the facts, he having attended an informal mooting of the union held in' Auckland last Monday week.

Mr. Jones, who recently*returned from.

'Auckland, stated that whilst tliero ho did not loso an opportunity of inquiring about tho position of tho Auckland Union restricting tho playing' of the amended rules, and said that he attended a tneet-

ing of the union's executive held on Monday week last. He outlined Uie position indicated in the correspondence referred to above, and said that the Auckland Union had definitely decided to abide by. tho decision of the New Zealand

Council. Ho had been given to understand that tho Auckland Union only played (lie live amended rules pending the decision of the council.

■The chairman: Do you think that the Auckland Rugby Union are genuine, and that they will abide by. tho decision, of the New-Zealand Council? Mr. Jones; Yes; I 'do. Mr. Kitto: Was there a full meeting of tho Auckland executive?' .' ■ Mr. Jones:' Yes.' Mr. Slade: To mo, it looks as though they are only shuffling. Mr. Jones: Tho colleges were playing the five amended rules on Saturday lasl^. Mr. Kitto thought the only way out was to ask tho Auckland Union for a definite reply. ' . ■, The chairman said that they had had a definite statement from Mr. Jones, and that- he took it that the Management Committee of the Auckland Union wero honourable men, and would stand by their decision..

Dr. Crawford, suggested that a telegram be sent to the Auckland Union asking them how many of the amended rules were played on Saturday last. This was seconded and carried.

Tho chairman said that the matter could not be finally settled now as it would bo necessary to obtain Auckland's reply. To definitely settle the matter It was decided to hold a special meeting of tho committee on August 12 at D o'clock. The Effect of -the English Ruling. Somo discussion tcolc place on the letter received at tho last meeting of the union from the English Rugby Union rethe playing .of the amended rules, and Inst evening tho opinion was freely expressed that had the letter been placed before the meeting of' delegates in May last, permission wou,ld never have been granted for : the playing of the amended rules. ,

Tho chairman: I venture to say. that had that letter been read at the . last meeting of tho delegates in May we would not now-.be playing .the amended rules. ' Dr. Crawford agreed, and expressed a ' similar opinion, and others were of the same feeling.. .. ... The discussion then turned on to'the point as to whether, these Titles would bo played .in. the North v. South match,, and it was. suggested that the decision to ; play the three amended'' rules might ,be rescinded in view of the letter of the English Union. It was-pointed-out- that if the amended rules were played it would ultimately, lead to secession from tho English Union.

Nothing was decided as a result of. this "discussion. ,

Composition of International Board,

Tho New South Wales Union wrote eaying that it was prepared to fall in with the suggestion to hold a conference to discuss among other things the present International Board of Control.

■ Dr. Crawford said that by a process of evolution the control of Rugby football throughout tho world could not amain in the hands of tho International Board .as at present constituted. New Zealand was the premier country of Rugby football, and therefore was entitled to proportionate representation on the Board. ' It was mentioned as desirable to obtain an expression of opinion from tho South African Union on the International Board, but no definite action was decided on.

It was dccidcd on the motion, of Mr. Jones that the New South' Wales Union bo written to suggesting, tlmt a conference of delegates representing the Queenslaud, New South Wales, and New Zealand Unions bo held about tho middle of October, when one of the subjects to be discussed would bo the nresent formation of.tlio International Board. It was further decided to inform tho Australian Union that a conferenco of the New Zealand Union would bo held on September 19,' to consider the wholo question of llugby football and also the position respecting delegates to tho proposed conference. .

The Secretary's Salary. Somo misconception appears to have arisen over the remuneration to bo paid to- the secretary of tho anion for his services. ■ Uarly in July the union decided to fix the salary at dCJ.OO for the current year, and. on this decision forwarded to the late secretary (Mr. W. Boauchamp-Plntte) a cheque for .£l6 13s. 4d., being M Gs. Bd. arrears duo to hiift for April and May, and <£8 3s. 4d. Sftlary due for June. This cheque was returned to the union by Mr. Beauchamp-Platts with the explanation that tho original reduction in 'salary was mado at his suggestion with a view to assisting the union through tho financial difficulties due to tho war. This period ended at tho timo of his resignation, and he preferred that his arrangement should remain. Ho recognised tho union's consideration in seeking to increase tile remuneration paid, but would prefer a cheque for iii 3s. dd., being salary for July at tho rate agreod upon. Decided to receive tho latter and adopt Mr. Beauchamp-'Platts's suggestion.

Selection of North v. South Teams. Upon tho motion of Mr. .Tones, it was derided to pick the North and South Island teams on August 30. Tile North Island team will ho selected at 'laranaki at the conclusion of the I'aranakiAuckland match on that date, and tho South Island team will be picked at Christehurch at tho conclusion of tho ■Wellington-Canterbury match to be played at the Southern city also on August 30.

On the recommendation of the Tarajiaki Union, Mr. D. Jlalone was elected as one of the North Island selectors.

Pioneers' Match in Auckland. 'A lfcttor was received from the Auckland Union forwarding a statement of the financial result of the Pioneer Battalion's match, which showed that the gnto was .t22-J i)s., approximately ,£3 more than tho pate received in Wellington, and forwarding a cheque for iiGG, being the share of the profits-payable to tho Maori team.

Delegates' Expenses, Tho Auckland Union wrote claiming a refund of .£ls Us. -id., being the expenses of the Northern Union's delegates to meetings held in Wellington. It was decided to refund tho amount. A similar request from tho Canterbury Union, tho sum being Jli7 3s. Gd., was also granted. The South Canterbury Union's application for otilO for like expenses was also granted.