FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1928, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

j ‘‘SPORTING LIFE’S” COMMENT. ; [“Sydney Sun” Cables.] (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, .March 21. ' “Insulting” is the word used by •‘Sporting Life” to describe the international Rugby Boards decision not to .-end a team to New Zealand in response to the Dominion's invitation which if says is unquestionably a real rnenanco to Anglo-Dominion Rugby. Prominence is given to-day to the tabled statement of S. F. Wilson the New Zealand delegate to the International Conference in 1925 that no British Team will ever visit New Zealand as long as the men at present in charge of affairs in Scotland and Ireland have a say in the matter significantly adding it will not affect the visits of their team to England. “Sporting Life’s” expert C. A\ . Paekford, in an article says ill? time has undouhtly arrived when drastic action in-ust lie adopted, if Britain is to retain the Dominion as Rugby friends. The constitution ol the Boanl is all wrong. Australia. New Zealand and South Africa merely occupy the position of outcasts incapable ol discussing an. important point in comnio-i with the council of.home unions. England is the host friend the Dominion possesses. Wales appears neutral. Scotland is violently antagonistic to her overseas brothers, and Ireland gives them the impression of si-pp-.i Ling Scotland in evrything and the attitude of Scotland towards New Zealand is anything hilt pleasurable. “Surely” adds Paekford. ‘ we are not going to lose the friend-hip ol three centres of the Empire which have given some of the most, magnificent players and sportsmen the game ever produced.” RUGBY PROBLEMS. (Received this dav at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. ■'Sporting Life” states the Rugby world lias been warned in the past six years that the farcical constitution ol the so-called International Board will lead us into danger. I hat moment has arrived in the ioriu of a cabled statement by Wilson, that a real menace exists to British Rugby unity. Hie time has undoubtedly arrived "hen stronger action is necessary i! we are to retain the dominions as Iriends. The English Union i- the Dominion's best friend, but Scotland is violently antagonist ie, anil Ireland is supporting Sent la nil’s a Itit ude.” FOOTBALL TOURS ATTITUDE. (Received this dav at 11.0 a.ni > LONDON. Alarcli 21. Tt is understood the International Rugby Boards’ majority decision not t<, send a team t-o New Zealand in 1930 is unlikely I - prevent the team going if tbe English Union i- nimble, mennwliile. to persuade tlie other tlnee Unions to co-operate. It is likely to send a purely English team. “We do not know what underlies (lie Scottish opposition. ' said an authority. “It cannot definitely le said whether they are trying to almli-li international tours, but they are eertainlv not sympathetic towards them. Irish members support them. The Board is divided. One section believes the tours should be encouraged in the interests of Empire sentiment, as well as sport, while the other stubbornly opposes them.” WAR A TAHS NEARING 1IOA! K. •SrVA. March 22. Arrived -Aorangi from \ aimouver. The vessel sails at noon for Auckland with the AVarntahs who were entertain-i-il by local footballers at a civic reception in the Town Hall.