NO REINSTATEMENT

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 23, 21 October 1921, Page 7

NO REINSTATEMENT

FOR PLAYERS LEAVING RUGBY NEW ZEALAND UNION CARRIES DRASTIC RESOLUTION TO COME INTO FORCE IN APRIL The New Zealand Rugby Union Committee decided last night that “after April 30, 1922, no further applications for reinstatement of players who have played under the League code will be entertained.” The motion, moved by Mr. E. Wylie, caused considerable discussion, it being stated by members of the committee that the system had been abused. Mr. G. W. Slade presided last night, and there were also present Messrs. S. S. Dean, A. Wylje, H. Paton, E. Little, R. T. Bailey, G. Howe, and the secretary, Mr. H. vE. Combs. Mr. Wylie said the question of reinstatement was most important, and had been taken too lightly. Tho time had come when a definite stand should be taken. The union had had experience of a player applying for reinstatement and then playing a mean game. The players had not fully realised the importance of tho rule. They should learn that going over to the League game would mean a break for all time. “All players must learn what going over means,” said Mr. Wylie. “The time has come when hard-and-fast rules should be made. There should bo no ro‘jnstlatement allowed. The matter, . a very frequent topic, is one with which all aro conversant.”

Agreement with Mr. Wylie was expressed by Mr. Little. He thought that in its early stages reinstatement had been primarily to assist Auckland. The privilege had been abused. It was time for a definite statement, so that players would know what confronted them if they “went over." They could then make no statement that they did not know they were doing wrong.

Mr. G. Howe: Do you propose an age limit, as allowed by the English Union? Mr. . Wylie replied that ho meant the rule to apply to everybody. He would be prepared, however, to consider an amendment so ns to enable the union to abide by authority. Mr. S. S. Dean: You would be out of order otherwise.

A Divergent View,

The chairman said that there was an objection to the motion. He cited a case in which, for example, a player was in a town in which the Rugby code was not played, but where League was the sport indulged in. A player, who was thus debarred from entering Rugby ranks, would bo in a difficult position. “It is in the back of my mind,” he said, "that unions should be stopped from taking players over. Certain unions are now not carrying out the rules with regard to reinstatement. I believe that Canterbury is one, although I have no direct evidence.” Mr. Slade added that he felt that it was necessary to fight the League, and the union had to have fair means. It had never put a case through without consulting tho union concerned.

Mr. Little asked how many times players who had been reinstated had gone back to League. “Once,” said the chairman. The questioner said that he remembered that Auckland players who had been reinstated went back to tho Northern Union game. “There were only two,” replied Mr. Slade. Mr. Little: I know of another case. It’s only hearsay, but I understand that the Wellington Union endorsed tho reinstatement of a man who went over because he was promised a representative match by the -league. "That’s their bait,” said Mr. Dean. “They’ve got to offer something.” “Dying Days.” Mr. R. T. Bailey considered there was a difficulty in cases where Civil servants were transferred to small towns where no Rugby was played. "They might be ‘real good sports,’ ” he said, "who could not get a Rugby game in the small towns." A chorus: Where ? “It is possible." replied Mr. Bailey. Mr. H. E. Combs: Pukekohe is one town where League is played. A voice: And Huntly. Mr. G. Howe remarked that the persons referred to did not necessarily have to be Civil servants. "Anyway, we always have power to rescind the motion,’’ remarked the chairman. Mr. Denn refered to the present being "the dying days" of tho committee. In view of the date set out in the motion, he considered that the question did not really affect the committee. "It is a question for the next committee ” ho said. “We may be here—or we may not!" Mr. Wylie: They can. rescind it. Mr. Dean: “Why?” He added that he was really in favour of the view expressed in tho motion. Mr. Wylie: Why not support it? Mr. Dean: I’m not going to. I prefer to have it discussed at the annual meeting when delegates will be present. "11’0 have the League well in hand," he added. "It is only a matter of time until the League, will be a minor power in New Zealand.”

Mr. Howe: Will that appear in the Press? We shouldn’t make those statements. I don’t think we should refer to League. Mr. Little commented that if people looked after their own game and did not worry about League they would get on better.

Mr. Slade said that fair methods should be used. He did not think the scheme should break down.

"Wo must get finality,” said Mr Dean.

Mr. Paton said that the system of reinstatement had had a “good run," but it had been abused, and he considered that the sooner it was brought to an end tho better. "It seems as if the union has been flouted in the matter,” he added. The motion was carried.