FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1921, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

ADSTItALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. SURPRISE IN N.S.W. SYDNEY, April 13. There has been published n a cable from Auckland stating that the New Zealand Rugby League has decided not to send a team to Sydney this year, because' of the New South Wales League’s decision to pay the members of the team a certain weekly sum and divide the profits ot the I,.;;;- among the piavers, which is a breach of the New Zealand constitution. Tim cable has caused surprise to the New South Wales League. Mr Miller (League Secretary), states it i/, intended to pay professional members of the team visiting England ss. weekly. The New Zealand League had already written agreeing *o make a visit on the terms forwarded them, and thanking the X.S.W. League tor Considering Now Zealand players: in the selection of the Australsian side to tour England.

So far as Mr Miller knows, everything has been settled. He is cabling New Zealand to ascertain if the Auckland cable is correct, and the reason for the decisoti, which lie believes has been reached under a misapprehension. He points out that the rules of all amateur bodies permit, both professional and amateur footballers playing together, and also that the League’s constitution used to provide only travelling ami hotel expenses for amateurs, but, following on the decisions of the recent conference of amateur bodies it was decided to allow in addition, the oiit-of-poeket expenses pcrmissable by amateur bodies. Mr Milier feels sure that when the true position is explained to the New Zealand League, the latter will adhere to the original decision to participate in a triangular series of matches arranged for June, in order to enable the best available side to be sent to England.

A DIFFERENT TALE. AUCKLAND, April 13. Recently the New Zealand Rugby League received an offer from the New .South Wales League to pay the expenses of a team to visit Sydney and play matches against New South Wales and Queensland, with a view to the selection of an Australasian team to visit England- this season. The New Zealand League .agreed to accept the terms offered which included the provision for a division of a portion of profits accruing from the English tour among members of the teams This would mean that any New Zealander selected would receive “out of pocket” expenses and travelling expenses in addition to a share of the gate money profits.

The officials of the New Zealand League, find that it would be a distinct breach of the constitution if any of the New Zealand players selected for the English tour accepted anything save out of pocket expenses. As a. result the matter will have to be discussed by tlfie League, to-morrow night. It is not antiepated that the offer made in connection with the English tour will interfere with the tour of Australia, and it is hoped if possible to overcome the difficulty regarding the English tour or well.