CONTROL OF RUGBY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1927, Page 1

CONTROL OF RUGBY

ENGLISH PRESIDENT. CRITICISED. WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. Tbo position o’f insignificance occupied by New Zealand in the government of Rugby football is emphasised J>y the recent statement of the president of the English Rugby "Union (Mr .T. Baxter) that it is for the elubs in England to say whether the overseas dominions shall have a say in the government of the game. When the New Zealand Rugby Union is advised officially of the attitude taken up by the English Union’s-president there is bound to be another stir. Air S. S. Dean, chairman of the New Zealand Union, describes Mr Baxter’s outlook as very narrow. “Our position.” be states, “is that wo still realise that Rugby football is a British game but wo do ask that we. should have a say in the making of the laws of the game. It is a question for the International Board, and not the clubs, to decide whether the overseas unions —New South Wales. South Africa and New Zealand—.shall have a say in the making of the laws of the game. “I am surprised at the narrow outlook of Air Baxter, who is evidently looking at the matter from a purely British standpoint without taking into consideration the Imperial aspect. “The results obtained at the last Imperial conference should surely make Afr Baxter realise the. importance of taking the dominions into their council. By doing so it will ensure uniformity of rules and interpretations throughout the Rugby playing world, and this, after all. is all that the overseas dominions are asking for. “The remarks of Mr Baxter are rather surprising, as the English Rugby Union last year decided unanimously that they would support the request of New Zealand and New South AY ales for the formation of an Imperial Ad- , visarv Board. Why. then, this change of front on the part of the president . “At the present time the New Zea- : land Rugby Union enjoys the same 1 status with the English Rugby Union ■ as that of linv club m England. Sure- > lv this Dominion, with its thousands of I plavers, is entitled to have the same voice as Scotland. Ireland and AY ales , on any board such as that we have suggested should be formed. The control then would still remain with the Afother Country, and it is not the desire of the New Zealand Union, or of other overseas unions, that the control of Rugby football, essentially a British irame, should at any time be taken out of the hands of the Home unions. All we t ask is for a jtmior partnership.”