OAMARU RUGBY UPSET

Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 11

OAMARU RUGBY UPSET

MAORI PLAYER DEFIES UNION WAS HE MISLED 7 Some confusion has resulted in Rugby circles in Oamaru at the moment in consequence of the action of H. Mason j the well-known South Island Maori centre three-quarter, in defying the union by electing to play for a combined Maori team in the north when chosen to represent the local representative team against Ashburton last Saturday week. The match in question was the annual encounter of a combined North Otago-South Canterbury team against the North Canterbury Maoris for a cup donated by llatana. Mason had early made a request to take part in this match, but the matter had been left to the selectors. Having received no satisfaction from the union, the Maori interviewed one of the_ selectors, who. it is alleged, informed him that it would be all right. Practically at the last moment Mason was informed that leave would not be granted him, and that he must play for North Otago against Ashburton. Mason took the law into his own hands, as it were, and played for the Maori team. The result of his action had its sequel in his noninclusion in the team to meet Australia on the following Wednesday. Furthermore, Mason was nominated by the selectors to represent the Maori team to play the Australians on September 23, but in view of his action it was decided to withhold tLj nomination until last night, when Mason appeared before the union and gave- his explanation of the whole affair; consequently his chances of inclusion in the’New Zealand side are practically negligible. In giving his version of the matter to a full union meeting, “ Heck ” Mason said he thought the union had not been very sporting in its attitude. He considered he should have been allowed to go and play with others of his own kind. “ The match was instituted primarily for the purpose of enthusing interest in Maori football in the South Island,” said Mason. “ And as the selectors knew I wanted to go I don’t see why they tried to stop me." A month previous he had asked one of the selectors if he could get off for the match, and was given an affirmative answer. In fact, the selector in question had stated that he was quite agreeable that he should go. The South Island selector (Mr Ned Parata) was present at the match as well as other leading Maoris. “ Mr Palmer said he would get me leave to go, but as 1 did not hear from him I interviewed Mr Ward (another selector), who positively refused permission, and stated that he had not seen Mr Palmer,” said Mason. “Disgusted at the way in which I had been treated, I decided to leave the town and play in the north.” Questioned regarding this particular match. Mason said he considered the Maoris were more entitled to him than North Otago under the circumstances. Mr Direen: Forgetting, of course, that North Otago brought you out. Mason: Not altogether, Mr Direen. I represented the West Coast before I came to this district. Mr Doran: Is it not a fact that you were picked to represent the New Zealand Maoris after you had been turned down by North Otago? Mr Burns: That’s quite right, Mr Doran. In answer to a question Mason said he was quite prepared to play for North Otago on the Tuesday, and attended practice in the evening. He felt that he had been treated badly by the selectors. Mr Atkinson: Apparently the selectors are trying to “ rule the roost.” Mr Young: How many times have you obliged North Otago in order to play ? Mason: On five occasions I have had to get someone to take my place. Mr Atkinson said it seemed as if the selectors bluffed him. “ Yes,” said Mason. “ They told me I would lose my blazer among other things, and Mr Palmer told me he would prevent %le taking the field if I did go up to play.” Mr Burns: Then they bluffed him all right. Continuing, Mr Burns stated that he had spoken to two of the selectors who had expressed their willingness to let Mason gp, but the chairman had stopped them. Mr Knowles: That was after the team was picked, of course. Mr Burns pointed out that the Timaru Maoris were given permission to play. Mr Direen thought there was something queer about the whole thing. “ It seems as if there have been influences working outside the selectors and the union,” said Mr Mays. Mr Atkinson (emphatically) : The selectors cannot override-the union, Mr Marshall: They have always tried' that. '

“ I think we should feel sorry for Mason and help him,” remarked Mr Doran. Mr Woodward said the difficulty w s that they must look _at the matter from a policy viewpoint and not fop sentimental reasons. Mr Doran then moved that. Mason be placed on the caution list, as he had received sufficient punishment through being left _ out of the team that played'Australia. Mr Young seconded. - Mr Mays pointed out that it was not the selectors who should punish Mason, but the union. Mr Woodward moved as an amendment that Mason be suspended for two weeks from the time of his : offence. Mr Knowles seconded. Mi- Direen stated that if the amendment were carried Mason’s nomination would not be forwarded. Mr Woodward then withdrew his amendment. Mr Mays moved tha't Mason be suspended from September 5 to September 14, inclusive. ■Mr Marshall secand this was carried, the voting being as follows:—For: Messrs Gilchrist, Atkinson, Knowles, Woodward, Marshall, Mays, Ledingham; against: Messrs Doran, Young, Tlreen, Burns. It was unanimously decided to wire Mason’s nomination for the Maori All Black team.