AUCKLAND RILES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1929, Page 3

AUCKLAND RILES

A CANTERBURY OBJECTION. REFEREES DISCUSS POSITION. ' AUCKLAND, Aug. 29. The declaration the Management Committee of the Auckland Rugby Union had failed to stand by the Auckland referees- in conneeiton with tlm Canterbury request for an “out : side” referee Canterbury-Auck-land match on August 31st. caused isom-e discussion at a meeliiig of the Auckland Rugby Referees’ Association last evening. Mr M. Kronfeld presided. ' The Canterbury objection- was based on tlie fact that Auckland referees officiated under special rules, and io warcontended in the south that, referees could not participate in representative matches under New Zealand rules with which they were supposed to. he un familiar. Mr F. E. -Sutherland said he was no. surprised at the southern move. Eulogy had never been wasted oil Anekln.ru 1 efforts. The Auckland Referees’ Asso ciation had . always been loyal to the Auckland Rugby Union, and. annam*-' ly it was going, to suffer and He'in • minority. Aiickiand referees woo’d he debarred from all matches. The motion added that fading support from the-Ruu'hy Union, tlie referees should reconsider their decision to act under Auckland 'rules.The speaker said that action should be deferred until the exact position qf tlie Auckland Unon had been officially, stated. . ' " ’ - ,/ - / . ■Another member said that it was an affront to Auckland referees to suggest that they were incapable of following New Zealand rules. Mr W. J. Meredith said the crux d ( ‘ the trouble was that the New Zealand Rugby Union was holding a rvriol to the head of the Auckland Referees’ Association. “It is/ in effect, telling you that unless, you conform* to its rules, not- one of you will he eligible for the English matches next year,” lie said. “The imaginary line for the scrum seems to he the trouble. It is my opinion that it was introduced to combat the League game, and it has got the crowd back. T suggest that you wipe out the imaginary line, if that is possible, and still allow the referee to put the ball in the scrum. Last year we had a lot of sympathy from o+her provinces. This year practically everybody is against Auckland, and I believe that unless we make-some

effort to fall into line with the coming of the English team, we will be ostracised.” The chairman said that the Association had received only verbal instructions to play under the amended: rules,. although requests /had been made for a direction in writing. The position dated back to 1917. “We are in the ail’, and have n thing in writing from thedug by Union,” he said. “The amend:d rules have certainly got the crowds. ..'tom a 30s ga ewe have now got rbwds worth several hundreds of pi’ii'ls on -Saturdays.” ■ , ; An, amendment that the Association •hould. di.'-' ies the .appointment 4 ©f a eferee ’ avl h the Management Committee of 1 the Union'Avas defeated. ' Mr Sutherland’s motion AA’.as carried, •nd a deputation Avas appointed to refer it to'the Management Committee. CANTERBURY’S DECISION. ‘ PARENT BODY TO APPOINT REFEREE. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 21. At last night’s- meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union, it Avas decided 'o request the NeAV Zealand Rugby nion to appoint a referee -for the Can r erbury-Au.kland match. Correspondence was read from the\uckiand onion, 'in .which it stated that if the Canterbury Union persisted n Its request for an outside referee, the Noav Zealand, Rugby Union should tppoint one. V - Mr Wilson said it Avas not a protest against the calibre or the qualifications of the Auckland referees, but against, the 'Canterbury men playing under “fool” rules. It Avas unfair to Canterbury to play under such conditions. Mr McPhail: It seems to me that we are dictating to the Auckland Union. It is a job for the Ncav Zealand Union to decide. , ■ Mr Phillips: .The idea- is a good one if outside referees could be brought. in to referee all outside games. Mr Wilson: An Auckland refetce cannot referee under our rules. He could not be expected to do so. Mr Jensen: We are only carrying out the resolution of the Ncav Zealand Ruuby Union Referees’ Association. Mr, Wilson moved that the Auckland Union be Avrit+en to stating that Canterbury Avanted an outside referee. The chairman: But they have fusedMr Wilson: If you .saw the ruling of Auckland referees you Avould agrjee that our felloAVS, especially the fonvards, would not get a fair spin. l

Mr Britten: We should be consistent and have, outside referees for. all • our northern matches. Why should we single, out Auckland}'- - • Mr Wilson : I* l not a protest k against the referees, but against the .uies under which they play. ... A, Mr bloAver: Have we gained our point aftpr all this publicity f i } Mi’' Wilson: It is not the point, .pur fellows. must get a fair spin. - -y Mr McPhail: It is not our job to-clic-tate to another -Union. It is a mailer •• y ' -4 for the NeAV Zealand Rugby Union.„ ( \ Mr. Wilson :j I cannot see any-rqtujon 1 , why .should refuse oum request for aniautside referee. If Ler bury, received a request from Auckland for an outside referee, do you ' A think, we would refuse it? Ceitaixily f not. i ' - It was moved and seconded that the Union take no. further in vfhe matter. On. being put -the motion; yyas lost. « 1 ' \ i.: .-. V’ Mr Wilson then moved that the Zealand Rugby Union be requested to appoint .a- referee.- . . A.;, The motion was carried. .: < ■ -J Mr Britten moved, and it Avas parried, that the Union write to the Wellington and Taranaki Unions suggesting that outside referees be appointed; NO OUTSIDE REFEREE, y- ’ DUNEDIN, Aug. *20,. '■ A' At a meeting of the Otago Rugjiy Union a letter Avas received from-,-Hie Canterbury Union suggesting an 'putside referee for the- Otago-Canterbury match at Christchurch. It Avas decided to reply stating that > Otago Avere prepared to have a Canterbury referee. ' One speaker remarked that football was only a game, and if they coiiklviy>t . A A take - a Canterbury, 1 referee 5 in; Atjie A match against he thought / they should not play, at all. OUTSIDE REFEREE QUESTIONV . WKLDEv«TON, Aug. 21.. The Wellington Rugby Union is 4m favour of, appointing an. qutsi.de- ,‘,xeferee for inter-provincial matches, end ' supported the proposal Avhen put ,forAvard by the NeAV Zealand Union*'This offering .visiting sides the option •of any outside men. r ,_