RADIO AND RUGBY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1930, Page 2

RADIO AND RUGBY

, ‘ LOSSES OF UNIONS. (By Telegraph—Prw* Aaaodfction). WELLINGTON, October 1. From further letters received from Rugby Unions on the subject of the radio, broach a sting of matches, it Would appear that the season’s experiment iii allowing the descriptions of matches to bo broadcast "has pot been : altogether a success from the point, of view of the union’s finances, Two letters, one .from the Waikato Union, and the other from the Auckland Union, were received qn the subject at this meeting of the New Zealand Union- The Waikato Union’s .letter “protested against the broadcasting otf Rugby matches,” and mentioned that -several '/letters had been received from affiliated SubUnions, asking'that action should be taken to prevent further broadcasting, as it wbb seriously affecting the finances of the unions and sub-unions.

While admitting that the Auckland delegates had supported. broadcasting generally at the annual conference, the letter from the Auckland Union stated that experience had proved that country football had been seriousily affected thereby, It .suggested that, instead of broadcasting running descriptions of the games, an account could be dictated into a dictaphone and put over the air in the evening,. The Chairman, Mr S. $. Dean, said he thought the queston was one for discussion at the annual meeting, and he also observed that lie had been one of those most strongly opposed to broadcasting. It was generally thought that the opinions of all the affiliated unions should be sought, more particularly with regard to what future action was to be taken. A motion to this effect was carried, and the whole question will be discussed at the next annual meeting of. the New Zealand Union .

UNION’S VIEWS. OF N.Z: RUGBY UNION ACTION. WELLINGTON, October 1. To debar Roebuck for all time from holding any office in Rugby organisation is merely an hysterical gesture, said an extract from a letter from the Taranaki Rugby Union, received at this evening’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby bnion, dealing with the latter body’s decision to disqualify for life Roebuck, who struck the referee in a match played in Taranaki during the past season. Taranaki Union considered that the New .Zealand Union’s decision was too harsh, and pointed out that its own decision, disqualification for a period of five years, had not been made hurriedly, and also that it had been made with a better knowledge of the facts. The punishment of ordering off Roebuck from all Rugby grounds for life, the Taranaki Union considered to be no punishment at all, because in the Taranaki province, at any rate, nearly all of the grounds were public reserves. There was little discussion on the letter. The Union decided to adhere to its previous decision.