RUGBY FUSION.

Shannon News, 15 May 1925, Page 1

RUGBY FUSION.

MAtfAWATU'S IRREDUCIBLE MINIMUM, HpROWHENUA'S OBJECTIONS. Mr. A. S. Faire reported to the M.R.F.U. on Wednesday's conference between delegations from the Horowhenua and Manawatu Rugby Unions, with a view to. some amalgamation scheme. Although the conference broke down on the question of representation on one big union, Mr. Faire was of opinion that if the matter finally rested with the four delegates set up by Horowhenua, amalgamation would soon be an established fact. They were, however, bound by instructions, from their union, to seek equal representation. Manawatu's delegates were apparently emphatic that their union would not consent to amalgamation unless it held the balance of power. Horowhenua had more to gain than to lose by coming in on such a proposal, as Manawatu in ten years' time would be a big union in any case and able to compete with the major bodies. The appended proposals, which emanated from the Manawatu Union, are as amended by the conference and approved at Palmerston North last nignt by Manawatu (Horowhenua as already stated, disagreed, on clause 3 of the personnel of the Union): —

Name. of Union;, The ManawatuHorowhenua It.F. Union. District: The combined districts of Manawatu and Horowhenua R.F. Unions. ■- . ~. .

Personnel of the Union; A president and two vice-presidents and a management committee of 7, to be elected from the office-holders and management committees of the Manawatu Rugby district and the Horowhenua Rugby district at a combined meeting of both bodies, the president to be elected alternately by the respective unions. Each district to have equal representation on the Union, unless the right is waived by either district, except that the treasurer of the Manawatu Rugby district shall be ex-officio treasurer of. the The secretary of the Manawatu Rugby district shall be exofficio secretary of the Union. Each official shall have the right to vote by proxy.

Powers of the Union: Supreme control of all matters relating to Rugby football iu the combined area; including the finances of the Union and the supervision. of the finances of each district and the final Court of Appeal for all disputes between districts. The asests in the existing Manawatu and Horowhenua Unions to be vested in the Union. Trophies are not to be included as assets and shall remain in the control of the district possessing them. For the purposes of interclub contests* and "the promotion of Rugby football therein, each district shall have the use and control of all assets and funds the property of such district at the date of amalgamation. The arranging and control of all representative games and touring teams. All home representative matches shall be played where the Union decides, but, all things being- equal, one home match shall be played in the Horowhenua district to every three in the Manawatu district. Each district may, with the prior consent of the Union, arrange matches with other Unions. Until revoked in accordance with the rules of the Union, permission is granted to the Horowhenua district to play the Rangitikei Sub-Union and the Bush Union for the Bennington Cup, provided, however, the Union shall have first call on all players for representative fixtures. The Union shall delegate to each district authority to control all inter-Club matches in that district according to uniform rules and by-laws be approved of by each of the present two Unions.

Delegates to the N.Z. Union: Each district to have equal representation, as far as practicable. Selectors: One each to be appointed by Manawatu and Horowhenua, but the Union shall have power to add to the number.

Rules of Union: By motion of 14 days' notice passed by the majority at combined meetings of office-hold-ers and the management committee of both districts to be specially convened cr at general meetings. Rules and by-laws relating to inter-club contests: By motion of 7 days' notice, passed at ordinary meeting of the Union. The headquarters of the Union shall be Palmerston North, but meetings may be held at sjich places a* the Union shall from time to time appoint.

The Horowhenua Union will consider the proposals next Tuesday.