RUGBY AMALGAMATION.

Shannon News, 31 October 1922, Page 3

RUGBY AMALGAMATION.

NO PROSPECT OF LINKING UP WITH MANAWATU.

A meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union, attended by 30 delegates, was held last, week to consider the question ■of the proposed amalgamation with Horowhenua. Mr A. M. Ongley presided, and referred to the advantages of the proposal. The Manawatu Union had used every means to effect the union, and had drawn up what seemed a perfectly fair scheme, but the amendment proposed by the Horowhenua executive would make it almost impossible for the amalgamation to take place. Mo.nawatu had offered to put in its profits and stipulated that the funds of the combined union should comprise the sum of £SOO now standing to the credit of the local union, the, net proceeds of all repre-

sentative matches whenever played, and of all inter-club matches conducted by the M.R.F.U. committee. It was suggested that the Horowhenua District Rugby Committee should not be called upon to. contribute any amount towards the funds of the union and should have the right, to retain the

proceeds of all inter-club matches. In the matter of control, the M.F.U. had suggested that the officers of the union should consist of officers and management committee, for the time being, of the Manawatu District Rugby Commit-

tee, together with two vice-presidents and three members of the management committee to be appointed by the Horowhenua District Rugby Committee.

However, as against this, the Horowhenua! Union had drawn up counterproposals asking that the common fund comprise the credit balance; of both unions after paying liabilities at the end of the season, and ithey also asked that they institute a Horowhenua district committee and a general union. Both these clauses,, said the chairman, put the possibility of amalgamation further away than ever. Horowhenua had not even indicated what its credit balance was, or was likely to be, whereas the local union had openly stated the amount of its balance. If that was the final ruling of the Horowhenua Union it would apparently be impossible to form the

union ,and it would be necessary for the M.F.R.U. to trust a good deal in the N.Z.' Rugby Union. Mr J. Duthie (Bunnythorpe) took the view that amalgamation would prove too cumbersome. In the face of the amendments of Horowhenua, it would only mean they would have two governing bodies. It was desirable that the standard, of football be

maintained, as it was a few years ago, and the suggested scheme would have the ultimate effect of lowering the standard

Mr A. Hannay moved that the original scheme as submitted by the M.R.F.U. be the only one in which they would be prepared to enter upon amalgamation.—Carried.