THE CONTROL OF RUGBY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1929, Page 8

THE CONTROL OF RUGBY

(Auckland “Star.”) In view ui' the importance that Rugby football lias attained in the Dominions, and the many victories recorded el colonial teams on tour in .Britain, it is a remarkable and, at first sight, an inexplicable fact that the Dominions have no share in the official control of the game. Now at last, however, after many years of unavailing ellort, Die New Zealand Union has received through the English Rugby Union a copy of a resolution adopted by the International Hoard last March', to the following effect, that “as a condition precedent to the consideration of the creation of a consultative body under the supreme control of this Board, all Dominion Unions should agree to adopt the laws of tho game as framed by the International Board.” The most obvious fact about this remarkable resolution is that the Board demands the unconditional submission of the Dominion Unions to its ruling in regard to the playing of the game before it is even prepared to consider the admission of colonial delegates ,vitn' in its sacred circle. Put briefly, this ultimatum means: “Play the game according to the old rules or we will not even think about the possibility of suiting you in regard to its regulation and control.” Now most people nil! agree that this is an extremely highhanded and arbitrary method of procedure. The Dominions, having regard for the special circumstances ’ r.(hr which the game is played in ‘he \ nous countries, have all diverged m some degree from the traditional rules as framed originally by the English Rugby Union. But they are naturally content to utilise their local rules for their own domestic purposes, and in playing international matches with British teams they are always prepared to play the old English rules. Bus this not enought for the International Board. Before it will even condescend to consider “the creation of a consultative body” the Dominions must snr render at discretion and submit to its omnipotent will. It remains to he seen what the Rmiby Union of New Zealand, New South Wales and South Africa, the bod’.y.s chiefly concerned, will have to say ro this ultimatum. They must take info account not only the arbitrary tone o! this strictly limited and conditional offer, but the possible consequences of accepting it under any conditions. Ail that the Board promises is “the consuloration of the creation of a consultative body.” But if the Board in its widsom sees fit to create such a body, and the Dominions agree to send delegates thereto, their consent must he taken to imply their willingness to accept the decisions of the Board as final And if the Board is so constituted as practically to give tho British Unions tlie controlling voice, New Zealand might speedily find itself compelled to abandon its modifications of the rules altogether. Such a development would he regarded in this country at least as seriously detrimental to the prospects of our splendid '.national game. In Britain, where public feeling in such matters A extremely conservative, and where tbr need for rendering the game as attractive as possible, so as to strengthen • against competition, does not exist, those interested in Rugby football are quite content and, indeed, anxious 10 maintain the old order of things ur far as possible without material change h. this country, where conditions in 1 different, the ne -essity for adjusting the game to the circumstances is apparent enough. It is important, therefore, lo realise that if colonial delegates are once permitted to sit on the international Board, we may be forced to su v-i-'r.der whatever advantages the game has gained here through the modification of the old rules. But quite apart from this, it is doubtful whether the Dominion Unions will be prepared to accept without protest the extremely high-handed and autocratic treatment that the Board as now constituted seems to think good enough for them.