MAORI RUGBY TEAM

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 1

MAORI RUGBY TEAM

A GISBORNE PROTEST. [by telegrami—-per press association.] GISBORNE, A lay 2f. -■Last week a cable message appeared in the press to the effect that the Welsh Rugby Onion decided not to officially recognise the .Maori team, and I declined to arrange an international match, and would accept no responsibilities for club games. This message caused much resentment in Poverty Bay, where numerous Rugby players are Afnoris, and the matter came before the Poverty Bay Union last evening. The subject was introduced by the Chairman, Air A. S. Parker, who, referring to the cable, said he thought the Poverty Bay Rugby Union, as one nl the foremost bodies controlling -Maori Rugby, should enter a strong protest. Air Parker said; “I think it is a d insult to Maoris in every possible way. Particularly in view of the pioneer and other Maori teams visiting AVnles. They then received them with open arms, and urged some of/the prominent Maori players to return Home to play. There has been a good- deal of correspondence between home clubs and well-known Alaori players in the 192-1-25 All Blacks, endeavouring to persuade them to return to play for Rughv and League teams at Home. AYst when a New Zealand Maori team is about to sail, the Welsh Union refused to recognise them as a New Zealand team.” The speaker said lie had drafted out the following resolution, which he thought the Union should pass, and thus give a lead to other Unions :

“Thai the Poverty Pay Rugby Union resents the action of llic Welsh Rugby Union in deciding to officially not recognise the Maori team; to decline to arrange an international mntdli and in accepting no responsibility -for club

games. The Poverty Bay Rugby Union considers such attitude is an insult to the Alaoris and also to tbo Dominion,/ tor it either draws the colour line or attributes to the .Maoris unsportsmanlike qualities. The Poverty Bay Union considers such a decision, by what was looked upon as a sporting nation, beneath contempt, and trusts that the New Zealand Rugby Union, as the controlling body of .Maori and Pakeha football in'New Zealand, will not allow to pass unnoticed such an unwarranted slur upon Maori footballers, a number of whom went to England with the All Blacks team. Further, that until such time as some explanation is made, Ilu Poverty Bay Union pledges itself to play against no British team in which there is a Welsh player; also, that a

copy of this resolution be forwarded to Hie Xew Zealand Rugby Union, and to other Rugby Unions in which there are -Maori players, with a view to taking united action on similar lines.” Air Brosimlmn: “ I don’t think you can make the protest strong enough.” The Chairman: “It’s an insult to the Afaori people who are among the strongest supporters of the game in the Dominion, particularly in this district.” Air Jeuno: “The pioneer team played two games in Wales, and chewed them up both times, beating , Llanelly by fifty points to nil.” Afr Brosnahan: “Probably that i the reason why the Welsh Union is taking up this attitude.” After further discussion on similar lines, the resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.