FOOTBALL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2453, 13 July 1922, Page 3

FOOTBALL

AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL. At the .meeting of the Horowhenua Rugby Union on Tuesday evening, a letter was read from the Manawatu Union suggesting a conference of representatives 'of the two Unions at either Palmerston North or Levin to go into the proposal of the two Unions amalgamating. The Horowhenua delegates present were .Messrs W. Thomson, M. Winiata, R. W. Percy, F. D. Whibley, L. S. Carmichael, L. Dixon, and Father Vibaud. Owing to the absence of the president (Mr E. J. Nash), Mr Thomson was voted to the chair. The chairman said he understood that the proposals that would be put forward by Manawatu were that Horowhenua would have control of the position at this end as at pre- . sent, and at the end of the season would play their usual home and home games with Manawatu. In big rep. matches, however, the two Unions would combine, and it was thought by this means to get games with the leading Unions. He understood Manawatu was prepared to put* finance into the scheme if necessary. Under the amalgamation it was not intended' that Horowhenua would lose its identity. Father Vibaud: We might lose our voting power on the New Zealand Union. The chairman: Voting power is governed by the number of tealfis in the Union, so that we should not suffer. Mr Nash then arrived, and stated that he had later information to the effect that the Manawatu Relegates would visit Levin to meet the local union. At the special meeting of the club delegates held afterwards to consider the playing of rep. fixtures in district centres. Mr Whibley mentioned the amalgamation scheme, and thought the Manawatu proposal should be given no .encouragement. In answer to a question the chairman said that the Horowhenua Union would hear the proposal of Manawatu, but final decision for ‘’accepting or rejecting the proposition would rest with the Horowhenua clubs.