ATTEMPT TO OUST RUGBY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2771, 14 August 1924, Page 3

ATTEMPT TO OUST RUGBY.

MANAWATU RUGBY UNION

REPLIES TO MISLEADING STATEMENTS. The Manawaiu Rugby Union met at Palmerston N. on Tuesday evening when the meeting was up in arms in connection with the broadcasted statement of Dr. Thaeer and Mr Jack, of Christchurch and Foxton, respectively, that all the Rugby teams in the Manawatu are going ov er to League next season. Mr T. Collins (Feilding) said that the statement was absolutely incorrect. Rugby in the Manawatu was in a better position now than it ever had been and there was every liklihood of it being able to carry on next season. Mr Faire was of opinion that the progress Rugby had made in the Manawatu of recent years and the high standard of football attained in the district were sufficient answers to any statements obviously made for the purpose of misleading the public and undermining tire confidence of Rugby players. Mr Hnrdie was emphatic that the statement was absolutely misleading and should be contradicted. There were several other opinions Miaf Dr Thacker, Air ,T. P. .Tack and Co., for reasons best known to themselves, were drawing a very long bow. Eventually the following motion was passed:—“That the Manawatu Rugby Union is so satisfied with the progress of Rugby in the district that it can ignore the misleading statements made by promoters of the League code.”

THIRTY RUGBY DEFECTIONS TN DUNEDIN. Dunedin, Last Night. It is stated on authority that 29 Dunedin senior players and one junior player have enrolled with the local secretary of the Rugby League. It is expected that a match between Otago and Canterbury will be played this season at Christchurch. There is also a possibility that a North island v. South Island match will be played at The League people have pencilled dates for the use of the Caledonian ground on three Saturdays in October. (To The Editor). Sir, —T don’t think Mr. P. J. Jack had any idea when he wrote hi.s let ter t<> Dr. Thacker that it would be used Cor publication and bring him and Foxton such notoriety. Some of the statements contained in that letter are, in my opinon, more imaginary than real. What authority had P. J. .Tack for his wild and woolly assertion that the whole four teams of Rugby here would go over id the League game? May I ask P. J. Jack when the clubs met and decided upon such action? He may have jumped to that conclusion because some dissatisfaction has been found with the administration of the Horowhenna Rugby Union, but I hat is not to say that Rugby players are going to forsake the good old game for League. I don’t think, sir, that League will ever supplant Rugby in New Zealand and to cut adrift from the game and its national ramifications because of a little mismanagement would be suicidal to Foxton. P. J. Jack lias taken advantage of a little upset between the Horowhenna Union and lneal club to attempt to push out Rugby. I ask yon sir, or any of your readers, to say whether that is a sportsmanlike action? Personally T don’t think it is playing the game. P. J. Jack has as much right to get the League game going in Foxton as soccer, hockey, or baseball enthusiasts, but lie should start fair and on the League game’s merits. Will he tell your readers who “the twenty most influential business men” are who

iirti prepared to go on the committee, persumably to oust, Rugby? When did P. ,T. Jack get permission from (lie Borough Council for the use of Eastoih Park. I think he is a little premature as that ground is nl present grunted to the Tlorowhel'.iiii Rugby Union. Still, it would have been just as well for P. J. .Jack to have made sure about the ground before jumping to a conclusion. Certainly the League game, if started, would add variety to our out-door games,' but in my opinion Rugby will remain as the most popular winter game in Foxton even if League football is introduced. Thanking you, sir, in anticipation, —I am, etc. RUGBYITE.