NO DISCRIMINATION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 206, 16 September 1937, Page 4

NO DISCRIMINATION

Education Boaitl's Reply to Allegations RUGBY AND SOCCER A reply to the recent allegations of i discrimination between Rugby and fcsoccer on the part of the Hawke's Bay Education Board was made at this morning 's meeting of the board at Napier, when members stated that the same facilities had been granted to those pupils wishing to attend a recent Soecer fixture as had been granted yesterday to those who wished to see the Springboks. "I have no apologies to make for any action I took in the matter," said the chairman, Mr. G. A. Maddison, when the subject camo under diseussion at tho meeting. He added that the board had decided, on the occasion 'of the Soccer fixture between Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay and England, that the number of children who wished to attend tho match was comparatively light. It was not thought worth while to declare a half-holiday to allow tliem to attend tho oiatch, but those boys who wished to go could be allowed off. In regard to yesterday 's game, the chairman stated that it had first been decided that those schooi committecs who thought it necessary to allow time off could do so by utilising one, of the three half-days a year allowed for such purposes. Later it was found that in Hastings and Napier particularly those who Avished to bo allowed off comprised almost all the boys attending the seliools. After discussing the matter with, the Director of Education, the chairman authorised the circular referred to, stating that a holiday was approved at the discretion of the committces. ^'1 make no discrimination between Soccer and Eugby at all," Mr. Maddison continued. "I believe that they afe both good, healthy games, and I am of the opinion that to make a good Rugby player a forward at least should have some knowledge of Soccer." \ Comhienting that he had been brought up to the game of Soecer, Mr. W. Cuthbertson stated that he neverless quito approved of the action which had been taken. Soccer was not nearly so strong numerically in the schools as was Rugby. The chairman 's aetion was confirmed by the board.