RUGBY FOOTBALL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 302, 17 September 1919, Page 9

RUGBY FOOTBALL

AMENDMENTS TO,RULES

DISCUSSED BY CLUBS'DELEGATES

A special general meeting of delegates of clubs affiliated to the Wellington Itugby Football Union was held last evening to consider notices of motion to bo placed before the meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union to bfe held,on Friday night., Mr. W. Hornig presided, ami stated that tho meeting had'been, called to consider the notices of motion of tho Auckland Bug-by Union respecting alterations to the rules of the game, in order that delegates present could give tho Wellington unions delegates some idea of the feeling Wellington had towards the proposals. •The secretary (Captain T. H. Jones) thou read tho letter from the English Bugby Union respecting its opposition to the alterations of tho rules of-the game.. The chairman said that his own opinion. was that tho letter disclosed the "conservative and hide-bound" attitude of the English Rugby Union. During the present season the Auckland Rugby Union had played the amendments, three of which wero authorised by tho New Zealand Union, and two woro ' unauthorised. Tho amendments authorised were: (1) Abolition of the wing forward, ' (2) refereo to put tho ball in tho scrum, and (3) advantage rule to apply to lineout play. .The unauthorised rules weret (1) Absolute free kicks and kicks, at goal from penalties and tries! and (2) modifl-. cation of tho la*w governing kicking into touch. Tho New Zealand Union wrote to the Auckland Union- threatening suspension, but the northern union did.not come into line until it had completed its Cup fixtures. Tho Auckland;. Union then formulated a number of'notices of. motion and forwarded them for consideration by the meeting of'tho Now Zealand Uhion on Friday, and the parent body, considered it advisable for club delegates throughout Now Zealand to havo an opportunity of considering these motions in order that they might instruct their delegates to tho Now Zealand Union on the position.

Proposed Amendments Opposed, The first proposed amendment to tho Tulea of the New Zealand Rugby Union dealt with was that to' Rule 2 "that the' words 'as from time to time fixed by that body' be deleted, and the following tubstituted in lieiT thereof, 'but may make such modifications as may be deemed , desirable in the interests of the game.' If this -were supported, explained the chairman, it would mean that the New Zealand Union'would havo to cut away from the English Union. The delegates opposed the proposed amendment unanimously, and decided to : %JVrow it out. .-"'''.''■

A motion to tlie effect that as the Wellington Rugby Union had agreed at its annual general mooting to adopt the English' .Rugby Union as the parent bogy, the delegates of the Wellington Union to jihe'Nevr Zealand Union bo instructed tof carry out that principle, was moved by Mr. Kember and carried unanimously. ' ; '" The effect of this motion is that the local union's delegates to the New Zealand Union will oppose the' amendments to Rules 32, 37, 47, and 48, which would have automatically; followed had the amendment to Rule 2 been supported and subsequently carried.

Tho next notice o* motion dealt with was a recommendation from the Auckland Union that Rule 13 be altered to read to tho effect that' each delegate havo only one vote and the delegates be appointed 24 hours prior to' the meeting, otherwise they would not be allowed to vote. ' " '"(

Br;,M'Eraly pointed out that this notice of motion was' the result of an incident' at the last meeting of the I\W Zealand Council.' Mr. G. Dixon attended, the meeting as a . delegate from the Taranaki Union, but when the names were called it was found that there were already two delegates present representing the Taranaki Union.. Tlie Wanganui delegate then nominated Mr. Dixon as delegate in order to give .him a Etanding at the meeting.' Mr. Dixon had not received' any instruction regarding his position from the Taranaki Union, and lie was merely placed in a false position. Tho - object of this proposed motion, continued the speaker, was to prevent such a course being followed in the future. He considered it would not be'wise to support the amendment. It wns a shrewd mov.o on the part of. the Auckland Union.

It was decided .to ieave the question to the discretion of the delegates to the New Zealand Union, the meeting not favouring any direction on the point. . The proposed alteration to Rule 15, as suggested by the' Auckland Union, was to the effect that no one delegate should exercise the full number of a union's vote? at a meeting of the New Zealand Union, unless a-union informed tho (secretary in writing twenty-four hours "befon a meeting that tho full voting power was to be exercised by one delegate. After a brief discussion it was decided to leave this matter also to the discretion of the delegates to tho New Zealand Union.

Laws of the Game. The amendments to. the laws' of the came, particulars of which have previously been, published, were next considered, and it was decided to adopt the same attitude in relation to the'first four as was taken up by the union at its annual general! meeting, and that li.iilo 5 be supported provided'it .is brought about in a constitutional manner. ■ '

To Mark the Signing of Peace. • _.V recommendation from the Invercargill Union asked-the local union to support a recommendation to the New Zealand Union respecting the removal of disqualifications on those who.had played the Northern Union ganio during the war, to mark the signing of peace. It was decided to Reave the matter in the hands of the union's delegates to the New Zealand' Union. . ■

International Board of .Control. The constitution of tho International Board of Control was- discussed, and the opinion freely expressed that the time had arrived when New. .Zealand, , Australia, South Africa, Canada, and France should have separate and direct representation on'the hoard.

A motion to the' effect that the New Zealand Union too approached with a view to making the Board of Control truly iiiteniational.'aud recommending that the, above-named countries be approached on. the question, was moved. The secretary pointed out that the union had! been in communication with Australia on the question, and delegates: were to be appointed at the special meeting of tho.Now Zealand Union on Friday to visit Australia to discuss tho matter during tho following month. Tho motion was carried unanimously.

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. The contest between Auckland and Wellington for the Rnnfnriy Shield will take place at the Athletic Park this Afternoon, and a bright exhibition of Rugby ]8 being looked forward to by follower* of the game, ncath, Billington, and Oraspanc h arrived from Auckland yesterday.- 'lhe lifct-named will take the field as five-eighth,' and Grierson will now play centre three-quarter, Burns dropping out of the team. Tho Aucklanders are all young players, mid ciltliougk not so strong forward as back, it is anticipated. that even tho vanguard will uphold the Auckland tradition of high-class forward play. At tho same time tho Wellington pack is now a fine combination, and as both back divisions aro admittedly strong, on tho forward struggle will "probably depend tho fate of tho match; though Green may turn the scale with his goal-kicking, which in both Canterbury matches lias been of ii high order.

The following .special visitors are expected to attend:—His Excellency tho Governor-General, the Mayor, Ministers of the Crown, Sir Joseph Ward and other members of Parliament, and Generals Robin, Richardson, and M'Gavin. In order to give as ninny people tv, possible an opportunity to witness tho match, play will not start until 3.20 p.m. Dr. R. Crawford has been appointed referee.

A curtain-raiser will bo played at 2 p.m. between Base Records and Defonco Headquarters.