RUGBY REP MATCHES.

Shannon News, 29 May 1923, Page 3

RUGBY REP MATCHES.

LEVIN WANTS THEM ALL. INDIGNATION IN OTHER CENTRES. SHANNON CLUB DEMANDS EXPLANATION. The decision of the Management Committee of the Horowhenua- Rugby Union to play all representative matches in Levin has aroused a great deal of feeling in Rugby circles outside Levin and meetings of protest have been held both in Shannon and Foxton.

A special meeting of the Shannon Football Club was held on Saturday evening to protest against the Rugby Union’s action. After discussion tt.e following resolution was passed “That the Shannon Club take strong exception to the misleading -and utterly erroneous statements made by Mr Procter, at the last Horowhenua Rugby Union meeting re representative matches held during the last two years in stating that the rep. matches held in Shannon were not a success financially or otherwise. As Shannon holds the record gate for rep. matches vve hereby challenge the chairman to produce in the public press the net financial proceeds of all rep. games played during tha last two years, also to please explain the statement.” FOXTjON’S PROTEST.

A general meeting of the Foxton Club was held on Friday night. Mr Hutchins (president) presided over an attendance of about 80 members (says the “Herald.”) The chairman said that at last meeting of the Horowhenuai 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 amendment: He was of the opinion that the club should go on with the fixtures and then fight out the matter of location of rep. fixtures afterwards. He felt certain the motion could be 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 be 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 jhe 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 hody. 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 being brought up for discussion.” —Seconded by Mr Austin and carried. Mr Davidson considered that as the clubs did not get notice of the business to be brought down such business doiie 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 wa s Quite in order in making a protest against the Union’s conduct of 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 requesting 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?” Hie was certain they would not.

On the motion of Messrs S. Austin and F. Robinson it was decided that until after the next meeting of the Horowhenua Union all games be played. Mr Robinson said he hoped that «'-U senior men would put in an appearance on the field, and play the game. The chairman said taht in the event of the 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 llOt Wanted. It was unanimously decided that Mr Hutchins still continue to act as delegate. The chairman said that in the event been arranged by the Foxton and

Shannon Clubs to call a special general meeting of the Union to discuss < the matter of selectors, as it was a \ well-known fact that those chosen l were not in a position to he able to

I pick a. representative team satisfac- \ toriry. The rule book also needed revising. * It was decided unanimously that i the special general meeting as alI ready arranged be called. Mr Christie moved: “That in order to strengthen the delegates’ hands mi trying to obtain representative matches for Foxton, that .a guarantee of £25 be given, if the match is played ; n a Saturday.” Seconded by Mr A. N. Smith and carried. Both gentlemen handed in their names as guarantors.