RUGBY UNION DIFFICULTIES.

Shannon News, 19 August 1927, Page 4

RUGBY UNION DIFFICULTIES.

GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN LEVIN. TO CONSIDEE RELATIONS WITH MANAWHENUA. The strain between Horowhenua and Manawatu over the question of representation on the combined Rugby Union has almost reached breaking point, and the local District Council has decided to call a speeial general meeting to consider the position. This action was resolved upon at the weekly meeting of the Horowhenua District Couvi il in Levin last evening. Mr J. W. Procter introduced the matter by referring to the failure of Horowhenua to secure equal representation with Manawatu on the Combined Union, and he suggested calling a meeting of the local delegates in order to get the feelings of the clubs throughout the district. The chairman (Mr J. J. O'Connor) stated that the constitution of the Union could not be altered until the annual meeting was held. Mr M. Ryder referred to the Taranaki team's match for vhe Ranfurly Shield, which it was thought would be ..Shield, Which it was though would be played at Levin, but which is now fixed lor" Palmerston owing to Taranaki V unwillingness to cancel their hotel accoriicdutio'll there. He maintained that the way in which this last arrangement was agreed to at the combined Union meeting during the week-end was only a farce. If this Council received a i-hallenge for the Bebbington Shield, tliev told the challengers where the match would have to be played. This Council was not dictated to by outside .teams. He wanted to see something done before the next annual meeting; they were not going to lie down to it, but must have something definite to go on. Manawatu in the meantime had the extra Vote. The whole of the clubs and the players in this district were beginning to lose heart in the game. It had been stated by Mr Robson at a previous" meeting of this Council, that the Union was supposed to exist for the benefit of the players and to get them into big football. He did not think this was thee case. With the £2OO that the Council were losing they could have sent the team away and played three matches. If the players were not entitled to a little outside football, why benefit a few of them? Those present at this meeting were practically all delegates of individual teams. He suggested that the delegates call the clubs together, and if the clubs were willing to back their delegates, they could go ahead with the matter at a future meeting and take it, if necessary, to the New Zealand Union. The Council had waived their rights for two seasons, and had not had a Manawhenua match in Levin. They had had to take these things lying down—they could not kick or do anything else. Out of five Manawhenua matches they were supposed to have two. Were they going to get any of them? This sort of thing was going to continue. ? .~ , Mr Procter moved that a speeial gen-' eral meeting of delegates throughout the Council's district be called to go into the question of the Combined Union and .to consider whether it was worth while continuing under combined control. Mr Procter mentioned that when the Taranaki match was allotted to Levin, Manawhenua were not the holders of the Ranfurly Shield; but now that they had the Shield, they could dictate as to where the game should be played. The chairman said that in the case of the forthcoming Waikato match, the Manawhenua Union made an arrangement to play it at Hamilton. Waikato wanted it changed to Cambridge and made arrangements for accommodation there, but Manawhenua replied that the match would have to be played at Hamilton or not at all. # It was resolved that a special general meeting of the Council be held on Tuesday, September 6th, to consider the district's relations with the combined Union. ___