N.Z. RUGBY UNION.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1930, Page 6

N.Z. RUGBY UNION.

ANNUAL -MEETING

PRESIDENT ADAMS’S ADDRESS,

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

WELLINGTON, April 10.

In his presidential address at the opening of the annual mooting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, this afternoon, Mr A. A. Adams (West Coast), referred to the growth of the game in Australia where after fifteen years, the All Blacks played a match against Australia, and the Commonwealth team was to he congratulated on winning the rulbber. In New Zealand, tiro game was continuing in its popularity, and the parent body was performing useful service in lending money to Unions at a low rate of interest, to assist in the purchase and improvements of grounds. Unfortunately, some Unions were behind in their payments. By not carrying out the terms of the mortgage, these Unions were doing injustice to other Unions desiring loans. The finances of the Union were in a sound condition and a profit of £6l 4s Od had been made on the year’s workings.

The President said that the outstanding feature this year would be the visit of the British team which would be the first for 26 years. .It was regretted that Scotland had only one representative in the team, and flie attitude of the Scottish Union to overseas teams was hard to understand. It was hoped that the Home Union would have agreed to a conference on the rules and other International matters during the forthcoming tour, but apparently they were not favourably inclined to the suggestion. Invitations had been sent to other overseas Unions and up to the present, Canada and Australia had accepted.. No reply had yet been received from South Africa. He hoped that they would give careful consideration to the question of broadcasting the matches. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted a s follows: —Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe); President, Dr G. Adams (Wanganui'; Vice-President, L. »J. Drake (North Auekand), J. Arnell (Auckland), 0. W,a<Unsley (Thames Valley), A. G. Yartley (Waikato), J. Goodwill (Taranaki), J. McGill (Manwahen.ua)., K. S. Williams (East Coast), A. S. Parker (Poverty Bay), W. J. Wood (Hawke’s Bay), R. S. Smith (Bush Districts), G. Sellar (Wairarapai), Dr JP. F. McEvedy (Wellington), C. H. Mills (Marlborough), A. E. Max (Nelson), E. Taylor (Golden Bay-Motu'eka), A. G. Colvin (Bidler). T. Mclntosh (West Coast),‘A. E. McPhail (Canterbury), H. H. Fraser (South Canterbury) H. Fraser (Otago), W. Robinson (Southland), R. S. Webster (King Country), S. Sullivan (Ashburton;, and G. B, Stevenson (North Otago) ; Hon. Treasurer, Mr E. Wylie (re-elected); Management Committee, Messrs S. S. Dean, H. H. Sterling, J. G. Roadie, T. A. Fletcher, E. McKenzie, H. S. Leith and A. C. Kitto (re-elected); Appeal Council, Messrs J. Arneil, P. Mackie, and J. L. Conlon (Auckland) (re-elected); Auditor, Mr D. G. Kembep (re-elected.)

THE FIRST TEST,

WELLINGTON, April 10

The New Zealand Rugby team will assemble a week before the first test and will play a match against North Otago on the Wednesday lxjfo.ro they meet the British team at Dunedin on June 21st.

KICK-INTO-TO U CJI

OLD RULE RESTORED,

WITH DISPENSATIONS

WELLINGTON. April 10

The old kiek-into-touch rule will be reverted to in New Zealand this season, but special dispensations will be granted to the Unions who desire -to play dub matches under New Zealand rules. Such was the decision come, to at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union this afternoon after a protracted discussion. The subject was introduced by Mr S. S. Dean who moved on behalf of the Management Committee. “That in New Zealand all games in future be played under the rules of the International Board/ Unless the Dominion Unions were granted a seat upon the International Board he would not agree to going hack to the old rules. He doubted whether New South "Wales would agree to go luack to the old rules either. He suggested that a conference should be held in the Dominion while the British team was here at which delegates from the South African, Canada and Australia could Ibe invited to attend. Pending this conference’ lie asked leave to withdraw the remit.

Mr J. Prendeville (Wellington) said this would be a breach of faith to the Unions which supported the motion.

Mr J. MeTieod (Taranaki) said that his Union favoured going back to the old rules at least for this season. The backs under the New Zealand rules now parted too much with, the ball. A return to the old rules would also make for sounder scrummaging. Mr H. Harris (Otago) also favoured a return to the old rules. Unions who desired to play under New Zealand rules could receive a special dispensation to do so. Mr A. MePhail (Canterbury) opposed a return to the old rules.

Mr Murdock (Auckland) also opposed a return to the old rules. U would be a mistake. Auckland bad bad to face serious rivalry. Speaking

as the headmaster of a school of 80u pupils he could say that the new rules had had a decided uplift upon the game in the north by an increase at the matches, and an increasing number of players. Proceeding, the speaker moved, as an amendment: - “That this meeting affirms the resolution passed at the last annual meeting that only trial matches and the North Island v. South Island match be played under the International Board Rules.”

Mr H. Frost (Auckland) seconded the amendment.

At the suggestion of Mr G. Pownall (Wanganui) it was decided to withdraw the remit temporarily and substitute the Wellington Union’s motion: “That the old kick-into-toiicii rule be reverted to throughout New Zealand during the coming season.' Mr J N. Millard (Wellington) confidently asserted tliat if the old rules were reverted to, Unions would he only too glad to return to New Zealand rules next year.

Mr H. Frost (Auckland) said he could give the delegates an assurance that Auckland when playing other Unions would be only too ready to play under the International Board rules.

Mr S. S. Dean said they should either play under International Board rules or leave the rules as they were. If Auckland was going to Ibe given dispensations, these dispensations should he specified. .They wore all fighting for uniformity, and il Auckland was granted permission to play different rules, other Unions might ask for dispensations.

Mr Murdock moved as an amendment; “That such Unions as may apply and get permission, be allowed to play under New Zealand rules in club matches only.” Mr J. McLeod said it was very pleasing to hear Mr Frost a® last admit that Auckland was playing under rules which had not been sanctioned even by the New Zealand Union. 1 Wily is it.” he asked, “that Auckland played rules which, no other Union in the Dominion considered good enough to adopt? All the Rugby brains in New Zealand are not in A uckland province.‘’ A voice: “Tn Auckland City!”

Proceeding, Air McLeod said that Auckland City only knew one brand of Rugby, and if a team were to come •dong and play the game as laid down by the Rugby hook, the Aucklandei s would not recognise the game. The President (Mr A. A. Adams), said lie did not believe in makeshifts. Auckland was up against a difficult proposition. Why should they alter the rules for one year? The New Zealand Union should come boldly out and decide to either play the old or the new rules.

Mr A- J- Geddes (Southland) supported the Wellington (Inion’s remit. He declared that 90 per cent of present day players had no knowledge of the old rules, and they should he given a chance to moot the British team on level terms.

Air Tilyard (AVairarapa) supported a return to tlie old rules.

It was agreed at this stage to tack the amendment on to the "Wellington remit, and in this form it was carried.

Mr J. McLeod then moved that it i>e a recommendation to the Management Committee to grant any Unions which might apply, for one year, permission to play under the present New Zealand rules. This was carried. The remit standing in the name o' the Management Committee was then reverted to. Mi E. Wylie moved that the following words be added to the motion:— “.If, and when, we are given satisfactory representation in the forming of such, rules.” He said that New Zealand had a splendid chance of pressing for a voice in the forming of the rules, and it would he a mistake to let the opportunity pass.

This was seconded by Mr J. McLeod (Taranaki) and carried, and the remit as amended was then passed on the voices.

SOUTHLAND' UNION

INVERCARGILL, April 10

Mt- A. A. Curtis, Treasurer, staled I,lie Southland Rugby Football Union’s finances are in a very unsatisfactory state. Tt had borrowed £9,C00 from the Amateur Sports Trust, which controls the proceeds of the success) ul “All Gold” Art Union, held in 102.). The loan bears interest at 2.V per cent. It lias to be repaid to the Trust at the rate of £SOO every second year (the year in which the representative malthcs are played at home). When, however, those arrangements were made, Invercargill had the universal half holiday and there seemed no reason why the Union should not be able to meet its obligations. When the divided half' holiday came, financial trouble began for the Union. Its overdraft lias since mounted up, till it now reaches four figures. In addition the Union has not been able to, meet its obligations to the Sports Trust, and on January 31, (the end of the Union’s financial year), there wn« £390 owing in interest and £oflo was due to he repaid. The ( nion executive wished now to rectily the position iby cutting expenditure down commensurably with tiie efficient running of the Union. It looked to the paving public and to footballers generally to throw in their weight also.