N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1927, Page 1

N.Z. LEAGUE TEAM.

INQUIRY OVER, THE TOUR, [I!Y TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, March 1. The New Zealand League team arrived by the Marama from Sydney, it is understood that the inquiry into the trouble abroad between the latter’s management and seven players, will be heard in camera to-morrow. Despite a very evident agreement which members of the team have arrived at to say nothing of the troubles which occurred during the tour abroad, it is clear Trout the little gathered on hoard the .Marama, this morning, that there will he some sensational disclosures. when the incidents of the tour form the subject of an inquiry to he held by the New Zealand Rugby League on Thursday evening. The Council a week ago discussed holding the inquiry and'decided it would he, held in committee, which means that the press will not he admitted, and that all the public will get to know will be what the Council cares to supply the newspapers. That would lie the position if the Council is allowed to carry out • its programme but players, and at least one manager of the team were emphatic that the inquiry should he open to the Press. Mr G. If. Ponder, financial manager, in his own words, said: “Well, il the inquiry is not to he open to the Press, I am not going to say anything and T am done with tlie game.”

If -Mr Ponder adheres to this attitude, and he has the support of other members of Hie team, who were questioned. then the public will get the whole facts of the ease as given at the inquiry. In addition to the manager, (here are the “strikers” Singe, Mount, Wright. Devine. Thomas. Petersen and Carroll, to he considered. They were not inclined to discuss the troubles ~l the team, beyond saying they would demand that ally inquiry should lie made public. THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED. AUCKLAND. March 1. Some of the nineteen members ol the Rugby League team who saw the tour through said that the malcontents were finite wrong in the attitude adopted. They admitted that there may have been conditions imposed which the touring team did not entirely agree with, hut said that most of tlie members were prepared to put up with these conditions, and it was the same for all. II a player had a grievance, it was always heard before tlie whole of the members. “ If the inquiry to he held is not going to he open to nil of the members,” said one of the team, “ it is not going to do any good. Already the tour has clone some harm to the game, and to hush matters up is not going to help any with the public.” Tlie inquiry is to be bedd on Thursday evening. ‘‘There has been too much StarChamber business all through the tour! That has been the Trouble with the New Zealand League all along.” stated Mr Neil Mouatt. one of the suspended players. Mr Mouatt was emphatic that his case should be ventilated publicly, and he hinted that he would seriously consider the question of not appearing before the Council, if its investigation was to be private. “T am not leaving matters there, am taking legal proceedings.” he said. Mr Mouatt’s contention regarding .the inquiry was supported by the other suspended members. Messrs N. Peterson. J. Wright, E. J. Carroll, W. Devine, and H. Singe. In addition to the team manager (Mr

E, H. Mail-), the financial manager (Mr G. 11. Ponder) and a majority of the 19 loyalists, said they favoured an open inquiry. Roth Mr Mair who at one stage was suspended by the English League, and Mr Ponder said they preferred to remain silent regarding the discontent. V- Mair said it was a great tour spoiled. He had done his level best to treat all alike, and pull with the men, but he could not contend with personal bitterness being shown to him as manager. He hoped the inquiry would be an open one. The fact that the team won 50 per cent of its matches, notwithstanding severe depletion ol Hie forward ranks, was regarded a- -.HUfactorv.

Davidson. L. Brown and L. Mason, were approached by English ( lulls, and it is probable that they will receive tempting offers if the residential ban on players front the Dominions is lifted.