COUNTRY FOOTBALL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 September 1910, Page 3

COUNTRY FOOTBALL.

THE XEW ZEALAND RUGBY UXrON'S EXCOURAGFiMEXT COMBrNATf6x~OF UNIONS. A copy of the report of tho subcommittee appointed to consider a scheme in order to give players outside of the main centres more opportunities for consideration in the selection of New Zealand and North and South Island teams, has ■been received in Levin by Mr W. R Burge, secretary to the Jlorowliomia Rugby Union. The details of the scheme arc outlined in tho report as follows: — "As you are aware the selecting of the above teams is generally confinod to about s«'x men, and, as the selectors are generally located in the main centres, it is not practicable for them to obtain a general knowledge of the whole of tho players, but' in order to minimise this difficulty we have to suggest a scheme on the following lines:— " (1) That the Unions of South Auckland, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay, Bush. Manawatu, Horowhenua, and Wnirnrapn should contribute say each three men, making twenty-one in nil, to form a North Island Country team, and play Wansranni and Wellington. " (2) That the Unions of Marlborough, Nelson, Bullcr. West Coast, and South Canterbury contribute sny each four men. making twenty in all, to form a South Tsland County team, and play matches at Invercargill, Dunedin ancl Christ-church.

"The matches named, would be against the local Unions. Aiten the teams coniplete their respective matches at Wellington and Christehiireh we would suggest that they should at once play against each other at Wellington", at a date prior to the selection of players for the North v. South match. This would give tho selectors of a, New Zealand team, an opportunity of making a selection fully representative oi the dominion, and also doing justice to the players as a whole. If this scheme is aceeptablo to delegates there aire matters of detail which can be easily arranged by the Management Committee, but we have to recommend that, after making satisfactory arrangements with the Iliiians' concerned for the use of their grounds, the whole of the proceeds be pooled towards payment of the travelliii" expenses of both teams. The fin" aiuiial ,1-isk to he on account of the New Zealand Union."