FOOTBALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2448, 1 July 1922, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

ALL REP. MATCHES TO BE PLAYED AT LEVIN. FOXTON NOT IN THE PICTURE. At Tuesday night’s meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby Union, held in Levin Mr Whibley moved, in accordance with notice, that the Horowhenua- Wanganui rep. match set down for Levin he cancelled. Ho stated that he moved the motion with the idea of having the game played at Foxton. The Manawatu match was understood to have been played at Foxton, but was later changed to Levin, and it was only fair Foxton should get another rep. game—.either Wanganui or Wairarapa would do. Father Vibaud seconded. The chairman (Mr Nash) said the Union should go where it could get the best gates. Mr Whibley considered if that was so, both--Foxton and Shannon should be taken into account. Shannon in fact, had beaten the Levin gate records. Other members did not consider that Nit was advisable to go away front the natural centre, Levin, where good gates had always been obtained. Mr Whibley stated that if Foxton did not get a rep. match there would be much disappointment, and there may be other action taken. Mr Dixon moved an amendment, that a” rep. matches be played in Lev'a. Tins was seconded by Mr Bevan, and carried. Mr Whibley thereupon said that such treatment might lead to Foxj, u, and possibly Shannon, breaking at.’ay fi\ in Horowhenua. The a< ! ion of the Union in the above matter meeis with justifiable opposition by the Foxton and Shannon Clubs, and, we believe, Otaki. It is argued by the Levin delegates that Levin is the natural centre and if matches are played there good gates are assured. The latter statement is presumptious and erroneous. On what grounds can such comparison be made? Let the Union put on a rep. game at Foxton and if the takings do not exceed the Levin gates for a ..iur.lar attraction, then the local enthusiasts will lay no further claim to consideration. It is true Levin is the centre of the Union, but that does not, apart from any other consideration, entitle it to a monopoly of rep. matches. Such contention is the essence of foolish naroehialism and 'would not be tolerated by the N.Z. Union for one minute. It would be matter for regrei if Foxton and Shannon clubs broke away and formed a sub-union in protest of the Levin delegates one-eyed action, lmt the interests of rugby and the support, accorded the National game by the public in this district are entitled to consideration and in order to get a ruling on the matter the facts should be submitted to the N.Z. Rugby Union. The matter should not be allowed to remain as at present and immediate action should be taken by'the local club.

At the Union meeting it was reported that some clubs playing in the Union competitions were -till unlmaneial hi the matter of their fees, and on .Mr Percy’s motion it was resolved that clubs in ai rears by 12 noon on Saturday next be sim”Oi:ded.

Mr Carmichael was appointed manager of the Horowhenua team to Rnngil-ikei next Wednesday, and Air Desmond coach.

- Owing to a disagreement between the Horowhenua Union Referees Association and the Union, referees in future will he appointed by a subcommittee of the union consisting of the chairman (Mr Nash) secretary (Mr Carmichael) and Mr Bevan.