RUGBY CRITICISMS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 60, 8 September 1926, Page 4

RUGBY CRITICISMS

RECENT SHIELD MATCH

HAWKES BAY UNION'S OPINIONS.

Tho objection taken by the Hawkes Bay Rugby Union to certain newspaper criticisms of the recent Banfurly Shield match between Hawkes Bay and Wellington was noted in a letter read at a meeting of tho Wellington Bugby Union's Management Committee last evening. ■ Advice was also received that a committee set up by the Hawkes Bay Union had decided to apply to the New Zealand Engby Union to hold an inquiry into the matter, and the support of the Wellington Union in this action ■was asked. During a brief discussion last evening, the chairman of the Wellington Eugby Union (Mr. J. Prende■ville) expressed the view that a mountain was being made out of a mole hill. • The letter from the secretary of the Hawke* Bay Union (Mr. W. Anderson) |was as follows: — "With reference to Wellington v. Hawkes Bay match (played at Napier on 14th August), the attitude adopted by some of the Wellington newspapers is considered by my union not only to be prejudiced, but in very bad taste, and is, we feel sure, creating a feeling of unrest in the public mind. My union, with a view to answering these various allegations, decided, to appoint a committee, and this committee has now decided to make application to tho New.Zealand Bugby Union to hold an inquiry into tho playing of this match, and. also the suggestions of the treatment afforded tho Wellington team whilst in this town. We request your onion's support in this action, and ask you to notify the N.Z.B.U. according"At the same time, at our last meeting one member went so far as to suggest that if the attitude adopted by tho papers reflected in the public mind, it would be unwise for our players to play a return match on 2nd October, as promised. Personally, this committee is of the opinion that the general public in Wellington have too sporting a spirit to accept these statements, or to show resentment to a visiting team. From the players' point of view, the matter is, at the same time, rather a serious one, and my union would not care to subject them to any hostile feeling. "This eommittoo is of the opinion that., to. enable as to carry out our agreement with you for 2nd October^, your union might disassociate itself from the criticisms that have appeared in cortain papers. We feel sure that such an action would carry great weight with the sporting'public of Wellington, and allow the game to be played in the proper sporting spirit. "We have already wired you as follows:— " 'My union desire you to investigate alleged statement by Taylor. Ad,vise if correctly reported; writing.' "We would like a reply at an early date, so that this charge, allegedly made by a player, and the only specific one, may be answered.- Irrespective of any action the N.Z.E;U. may take, we would like your reply re Taylor, as this player comes under your jurisdiction." After a member of the committee had expressed the opinion that' the remarks appearing in the newspapers had nothing to' do with Wellington as a union, the chairman suggested that there was no need $o discuss the matter greatly. He suggested that a sub-committee be set up to deal further with the matter. do not think any good purpose will ,be .served:3y discussing .the matter further, as I think a mountain is being made out of a mole hill," he remarked. "We are neither Press censors nor dic.tators." Mr. A. J. Griffiths: "When an official starts writing to the paper I do not know if you can let that go by.'' The Chairman: "We, as a Management Committee, have no control over an individual. We have written to Hawkes Bay congratulating them on their success and on the great 'gate' they received. We have no quarrel with the Hawkes Bay Union, and we have nothing to refer to the New Zealand Union." It was decided that Messrs. Prendeville and Neilson and Major T. King be appointed a sub-committee to draft a reply to the Hawkes Bay Union. Mr. Griffiths: "I am directly interested in this. In what way do you intend to reply to Hawkes Bay. So far as I am concerned all .the cards can be on the table." There was no further discussion.