TRAVEL PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 284, 29 August 1942, Page 10

TRAVEL PERMITS

Alleged Discrimination Against League Code

A protest has been made by the Auckland and Wellington Rugby Leagues aguinst the refusal of the Government to allow Munuknu Hovers, the Auckland Maori Rugby League team to travel to Wellington and play a match on September 12. Tin: chairman of the Wellington Rugby League, Mr. W. T. Holland, stated that permission had been given the Auckland Rugby Union for its representative team to travel to Wellington’, und he considered it grossly unfair that one sport had been granted a special privilege. “This anomalous position is a complete reversal of the Government’s expressed desire to assist nil sports bodies to continue providing means of physical welfare und recreation during these difficult times. The Rugby League believes that equal rights should be given ull athletic tennis and the granting to the Rugby Union of a privilege refused the Rugby League has naturally caused widespread surprise and resentment. Along with other good citizens, we tire always prepared to conform with the wishes of the Government in any matter materially assisting the successful prosecution of the war, and we are ever willing tn abide by the decision of the Government that travelling must be curtr iled, but we of the Rugby League cannot understand why the restriction imposed on one section of the community is conveniently lifted for the benefit of one other. The Rugby League is of the firm opinion that, the policy relating to the issue of travel-permits to sports bodies should be an all-in or all-out one.” The Auckland Rugby League has forwarded protests to prominent members of Parliament and the War Cabinet.