THE RUGBY TRY-OUT.

Shannon News, 30 May 1924, Page 2

THE RUGBY TRY-OUT.

ARE MAORI PI AYERS GETTING JUSTICE. HOHOWHENUA UNION’S STRONG 'PROTEST. The strong feeling locally that small unions and Maori players were not getting a fair hearing irom the selectors ol the All Blacks, was crytallised at- Tuesday’s meeting of <’•<■ Horowhenua. Rugby l'Mion p ito an ofiicial resolution of protest to the New Zealand Rugby Union, which will find-very general support, in football circles in the minor unions.

Mr J. W. Rjmmer brought the matter up bv -stating vlia.t Die procedure ol the selectors, as if .appeared to the public, called lor outspoken criticism o,i the part of the Union.- When it, was remembered that last season Jacob ha.d captained tbe Maori team to Australia and also the North; Island team against the Australians, he was worthy -of a. better try-out than he had received. The -Mauri 'Rose Row] match, was not a lair try-out. Eollowing the games right Unuugh it was obvious mat there was a gradual hut certain weeding out of Maori players. Who was responsible for this he could not say, but if there was a colour-line being 'drawn it was cun Marry to the best, interests uj sport and called lor emphatic protest. Mr Rimmer proposed the following motion: “That this- Union is of opinion that fair and equitable treatment has not been given to Jacob by the New Zealand Rugby It lion selectors and is ol opinion' flint, a further tryout is due to him.”

The chairman in seconding then lotion stated that one oi the leading authorities in the eountry had fold him that J-aeob should receive a further try-old. Jacob was one ul the leading players of the country and should get au opportunity of playing against Ihe leading wing-forwards of the Dominion.

Mr Robinson said that Hum what lie find seen of ..fa cob’s play in the Msi.mi.waJu match ho did not see that, he could lie left citiil of any team from New Zealand. The same thing had been said ol him in regard to Now Zealand matches. The see rotary staled that he had put the question to \Jr Senbie McKenzie, a, New Zealand selector, who had informed him that he could rest assured that if they had a player worthy of inclusion they would gel every consideration.

Mr Hiirdie fitaloitl tlmjt Mbynllutn luad also discussed the question Avith the New Zealand selectors, who had informed him that Jacob was, one of the Th'oh.aliles for the All Black team. Mr Rim mors molion avms carried unanimously.