N.Z. League's Refusal To Issue Transfers

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 61, 3 June 1927, Page 10

N.Z. League's Refusal To Issue Transfers

“PURCHASING OF PLAYERS”

BROWN-DAVIDSON AFFAIR

At a meeting of the New Zealand Council of the Rugby League held last evening, all members present excepting Mr. R. Sterling, were strongly in favour of carrying out the rule regarding the transfer of players to other countries. Thus the applications made by the wellknown Leaguers, Lou Brown and Ben Davidson, were refused. report from the Auckland League that it had decided to grant the transfer provided the players adhered to the rule, which would mean that they must reside in England two years before playing for a club, was, in the opinion of Mr. Sterling, absolutely absurd. Mr. Sterling said that the Auckland League had not approved, but had rejected the applications. Mr. A. Ferguson was strongly opposed to the issuing of the transfers, and said that the rule was a good one, which protected the interests of the code in New Zealand and prevented the purchasing of players from one country to another. Mr. Ferguson moved that the rule be fully enforced and transfers not granted to the players in question. In speaking to the motion Mr. Sterling admitted that difficulty existed in tampering with the rule, but circumstances did arise when it seemed only fair to make allowances. “We have to look at it in a fair manner and take it from all angles," said Mr. Sterling, “and this applies in the case of these two men.” GIVE THEM A CHANCE “They are two players who have been loyal to the League code, and have done good work in helping the game along in New Zealand. Neither of them is holding good money-making positions, and the granting of the transfers would mean a better living for them. The council therefore have it in their hands to give these young men a chance to do better. It is an opportunity which comes to the two of them once in a lifetime,” concluded Mr. Sterling. According to Mr. G. Stallworthy, if the council were going to consider the matter from a personal point of view then they would be looking for trouble. There were other League players who were loyal to the code, and they would also be wanting to get away. If players were allowed to go, the English clubs would soon have agencies in New Zealand making offers to promising Leaguers and then the games would be back in the cradle of long ago. “An English team is coming out here next year and its members will be keeping their eyes open for good players the same as they did with South Africa, and if this takes place it will mean the end of the League in New Zealand,” said Mr. T. O’Connor. After a further discussion it was decided that the transfers to Brown and Davidson should not be granted INVITATION TO AUSTRALIA A letter was received from the Australian Rugby League Board of Control acknowledging the New Zealand Council’s invitation to send an Australian team to tour the Dominion this In reply, the secretary of the Australian Board stated that the question had been referred to the Queensland members of the board, and a definite decision would be arrived at in the near future. However the New South Wales Rugby League was staging a big country carnival this season, and the Queenslanders were to play in Sydney on June 25 and July 2; so that if the New Zealand League’s request were acceded it would not be likely that a team could leave Australia before mid-July. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION

Considerable discussion was aroused •when a claim made by the South Auckland League to the Auckland League for compensation for playing J. Menzies in the match between Auckland and New Zealand was brought before the meeting. Mr. Sneddon said he was not prepared to give a ruling at present, and the matter was deferred. NEW SELECTOR APPOINTED

Mr. E. K. Asher was appointed selector of the New Zealand team in the place of Mr. A. McClymont, who wrote declining the appointment. It was decided that before any of the selected teams actually took the field the personal should be approved by the New Zealand Council.