REVIEW OF RUGBY POLICY.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1926, Page 4

REVIEW OF RUGBY POLICY.

DRAIN ON FINANCES. AVELLINGTON, April 23. Referring to the tour of the, Now South AYales team to New Zealand last season, the annual report of the New | Zealand Rughv Unions draws attention to the fact that the tour resulted financially in a loss. " It is clear,” comments the report. " that where matches are played in scattered districts the expenses of an overseas tour cannot he met without I Saturday fixtures being arranged in 1 the four centres. Against this, there . is every reason to believe that the arranging of fixtures in the districts of I the smaller unions is of the greatest assistance to those unions, and the experience gained by the players in the I out-lying districts in playing against overseas teams should he a material factor in improving their standard of play. This must he of great benefit ultimately in maintaining the highest standard of play, and ensures that plav--1 ers of outstanding merit are recognised j for selection in international teams. . WHERE THE MONEY -WENT. " However, the revenue of the New Zealand Union is limited, and a permanent policy of the. subsidising of unions t-liat cannot finance visits must , result in the depletion of the union's funds.” j The following amounts were spent under this head: Otago, for tour to A\ est ('oast. CoO. King Country, C3O. North Auckland. LAO. Ray of Plenty, £75. AYairarapa, for tour to AA’osL Coast, CoO. Fantl'i Canterbury, for tour to AA'est Coast, C7o. Hawke's Ray. for lour to Seddon Shield districts, L'oO. Auckland, for lour to Poverty Hav, Col). HELPING COUNTRY PLAYERS. The loss of GOOD 17s 8<! disclosed 011 the year’s working is attributed to the expense involved (a) in sending the New South AYales team to play in more remote districts than usual; (h) on the school hook publication ill addition to the usual school grants; (o' l subsidies. .€ 130. on representative teams’ visits to assist unions not able to undertake the cost of such visits and especially to assist unions away from, t-he larger centres of population. RUGHV IN* MELBOURNE. Dealing with the prospects of Rugby in Afelbourne, Hie reports says:—“Towards the end of last, season we were advised by .Mr A. J. Geddis that there was a favourable opportunity to establish the game in '.Melbourne. Shortly afterwards we received a letter from the Victorian Rugby League stating that they desired to disband and come over to the Rugby Union in a body, and asking for the support of this union. Towards the middle of M,arelr one of the .Management Committee,-Mr -M. Fletcher, paid a visit to Sydney and -Melbourne to assist in the organisation of the game there and to give, advice both to the Victorian Rugby J Union and to this union. His report has been received and it appears that! there is every possibility of establishing the game firmly in Melbourne ill the course of the next year or two. | A J D FOR VICTORIA. j “ This year it is hoped to play both | tiie All Blacks and the Ataoris in .Melbourne, and these should he attractions that will yield the Victorian Union a' handsome profit. Great interest was taken there in the visit of the New , Zealand team to Great Britain in 1924. '

and it is anticipated that the public will be very keen to see them in action. A strong committee has been fleeted to further the interests of the game there and it includes quite a number of exNew Zealanders. A large section of the public- are entirely in sympathy with the amateur spirit, and while it is not' anticipated that Rugby will ever outbid the Victorian game for popularity, vet it will he favourably received by many. If the game is established in Melbourne it will be an advantage to both New South Wales and New Zealand. i