N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1927, Page 5

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

RETURN TO AUCKLAND. Inquiry Over the Tour. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 1. The New Zealand League team arrived by the Marama from Sydney. It is understood that the inquiry into the double abroad between the latter’s management and seven players, will be beard in camera to-morrow.

Despite a very evident agreement which members of the team have arrived at to say nothing of the troubles which occurred during the tour abroad, it is clear from the little gathered on board the Marama, this morning, that there will be some sensational disclosures, when the incidents of the tour form the subject of an inquiry to be held by the New Zealand Rugby League on Thursday evening. The Council a week ago discussed holding the enquiry and decided it would be held in committee, which means that the press will not be admitted, and that all the public will get to know,will be what the Council cares to supply the nespapers. That would be the position if the Council, is allowed to carry out its programme but players, and at least one manager of the team were emphatic that the inquiry should be open to the Press.

Mr. G. H. Ponder, financial manager In his own words, saui: “TVell, if tin inquiry is not to be open to the Press I am not going to say anything, and 1 am done witli the game.’’ If Mr. Ponder adheres to this attitude, and he has the support of other members of the team, who were ques tioned, then the public will get the whole facts of the

case as given at the inquiry. In addi tion to the manager, there are the “strikers” Singe, Mouat, Wright, Devine, Thomas, Petersen ami Carroll, to be considered. They were not inclined tn discuss the troubles of the team, bej onil saying they would demand that any inquiry should be made public. THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED. VIEWS OF SOME MEN. AUCKLAND, March 1. Some of the nineteen members ot the Rugby League team who saw the tour through said that the malcontents were quite wrong in the attitude adopted. They admitted that there may have been conditions imposed which the Touring Team did not entirely agree with, but said that most of the members were prepared to put 'up with these conditions, and it was the same for all. If a player had a grievance, it was always heard before the whole of the members. “If the inquiry to be held is no: going to be open to all of the members,” said one of the team, “it is not going to do any good. Already the tour has done some harm to the game, mid to hush nqitters up is not going to help any with the public.” The inquiry is to be held on Thursday evening. , THE MAORI TEAM. AUCKLAND, March 1. The Maori Rugby footballers returned by the Tahiti from Vancouver this morning, and will be accorded a civic reception at five o ’clock.