FOXTON FOOTBALL CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2585, 26 May 1923, Page 2

FOXTON FOOTBALL CLUB.

PROTEST AGAINST UNION'S ACTION.

IN PLAYING ALL REP. MATCHES AT LEAHY.

A general meeting of the above cluh was held in the Town Hall sup-per-rooms last night. Mr Hutchins (president) presided over an attendance of about 80 members. The chairman said that at last meeting of the Horowhenua Union it was proposed that all Rep. matches be played at Levin. He moved an amendment which was not seconded Shannon delegates were not present but if they had been he was certain they would have voted for the amendmont. He was of the opinion that the cluh should go on with the fixtures and then fight out the matter of location of Rep. fixtures afterwards. He felt certain the motion could he upset as Mr Casey, who moved it, was treasurer of the Union and was not a delegate. Mr S. Austin was in favour of representative games in the four centres but not at every place where there was a team. The Chairman .said that Foxton was the strongest club in the Union with four teams in the field and should he considered. Foxton teams had further to travel to play matches. A Rep. match was promised Foxton last year and when asked why this was not forthcoming the answer was that Shannon and Otaki had guaranteed a certain amount of gate money. Another unfair thing was that those who were chosen had to assemble at Levin and pay their expenses to get there.

They had no idea that the question of matches was going to be brought forward at last meeting and when an important question like this was to be discussed clubs should have notice beforehand. Mr S. Austin endorsed the chairman's remarks.

Mr Davidson, as a protest against the action of the Union, moved as follows: “As the welfare of any properly constituted body, representing the interests of many, depends on the whole-hearted co-operation of its various members, we hereby protest against the unconstitutional practice of motions being brought up without notice being given; we therefore consider that all clubs affected by any such motion should be given at least seven days notice before beipg brought up for discussion.” Seconded by Mr Austin aud carried. Mr Davidson considered that as the clubs did not get notice of the business to be brought down such business done was irregular and in his opinion the treasurer did not have any standing to propose such a motion.

Mr F. Robinson asked whether it was in the best interests of football or the public that the games of about 70 Foxton players should be disorganised? The chairman replied that Foxton was quite in order in making a protest against the manner the Union conducted its business as they

were part of the Union and should protest against anything that was not right and they were only asking' for fair treatment when wC questing notice of any important business that was to be discussed. Mr Davidson contended the right way to test the matter was to ask: “Would Levin players have liked it, had they been treated as Foxtonites had been?’’ He was certain they would apt. On the motion of Messrs S. Austin and F. Robinson it was dcided that until after the next meeting of the Horowhenua Union all games be played. Mr Robinson said he hoped that all senior men would put in an appearance on the field, and play the game. The Chairman said that in the event of Hie senior teams pulling out, did they still wish him to act as delegate to the Union? He was quite willing to go, but not if he was not wanted.. It was unanimously decided that AH Hutchins still continue to act as delegate. The Chairman stated that it laid been arranged by the Foxton and Shannon Clubs to call a special gencrl meeting of the Union to discuss the matter of selectors, ns it was a well-known fact that those chosen were not in a position to be able to pick a reprsentative team satisfactorily. The rule hook also needed revising.

It was decided unanimously that the special general meeting as already arranged be called.

• Air Christie moved: “That in order to strengthen the delegates’ hands iii trying to obtain representative matches for Foxton, that a guarantee of £25 he given, if the match is played on a Saturday.” Seconded by Air A. N. Smith and carried. Both gentlemen handed in their names as guarantors. Air Austin handed in the old “Awahou Banner” and said it was to be presented to the school by Airs Austin-Johnston for triangular matches between Foxton, Shannon and Levin schools, the only condition being that the first match lie played in Foxton and that the Foxton Club still have control of the banner and that conditions for the contest be drawn up by the club. Mr Davidson thanked ATr Austin on behalf of the school, for the banner and said he would do his best to keep the banner in Foxton, and he was sure the Foxton boys would do likewise.

On the motion of Mesrs Christie and Procter, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Airs Austin-Johnston for her very generous gift. AH' Perreau said that all the school boys did not have jerseys of the right colour, and he suggested that a benefit match be arranged and that the gate money be allotted for ibis purpose. The following committee was set 0)1 to arrange conditions for the Awahou Banner: Afessrs Christie, Smith, Hutchins, Davidson, and S. Austin. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.