WHAT ACTION?

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 42, 19 February 1930, Page 11

WHAT ACTION?

DOMINION RUGBY STAKES

The decision of- the' South African Bugby Football Board in- the matter, of; the condition laid down by tho International Bugby ; Board regarding the claims of the Dominions for' an improved status has been communicated to. tho Now Zealand Bugby Union. It is to the effect that.no action bo taken unloss there is a guarantee of the four Home unions falling into line and a consultative body, with Dominion representation, actually formed. This decision lias also been made known in England. .... • • '

■' ' In- demanding this guarantee, of course, South Africa are quito right," states W.-J.-.A. Davies, a former English international player, in a contribution to the "Evening Standard," and it will bo interesting to see what action New Zealand will take in the matter, especially as their rules differ in ono very important and funddmental respect from our own. In Now Zealand a player is not allowed to kick to touch except in his own twenty-five. Is Now 'Zealand prepared to, alter this rule for the sake, of: representation, presumably equal with all the other unions, upon a ' consultative body under tho supremo control of the International Board?'

'' The question of the ■ representa-, tion of the Dominions in the councils of the game has been a subject of keen controversy , for many years. As at present constituted the International Board consists of ten members, four ■from the Bugby Union and two from each of.tho other Homo unions, and (exists for the dual purpose of framing the laws of the game for tho international matches and settling all questions arising from an international match or of an international character. It has no jurisdiction over tho game as played in tho separate countries.! I believe' I am right in stating that England has viewed sympathotica)ly the Dominion's claim for direct representation on ,tho International Board for a long time, but tho intransigence of some of the other unions has invariably precluded anything being done. This was a subject very near to tho heart of the late Sir George Rowland Hill, while in- later years James Baxter, who is persona grata in Scotland a,nd with the other unions, has given much time and thought to the solution, but With no result. "■ i