N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1031, 23 July 1930, Page 7

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA

FUTURE TOURS DISCUSSED New Zealand, its present and future under the Rugby League code, and its troubles, largely occupied the stage at a recent meeting of the New South Wales Rugby League. First of all, the New Zealand managers, who were present, asked for, and were granted, financial assistance for the team to go to Queensland. The wet weather and the consequent poor “gate” at the first match were responsible for this. The fixture list had been left open, and it was directly as a result of the rain keeping the people away on Saturday that it was resolved to play matches in Sydney against Metropolis on August 4 (Bank Holiday), against New South Wales on August 9, and against Australian Universities, at the University Oval, on August 13. That will be the last match of the tour. Later in the evening Mr. W. A. Cann, vice-president, who has always been a strong advocate for the fostering of the game in New Zealand, wanted to know whether the Board of Control was going to meet the New Zealand managers in conference to arrange for a regular interchange of visits. On being told by Mr. H. R. Miller, secretary, that there was no such present intention, Mr. Cann launched a vig-

orous advocacy for such a course, contending that if the authorities were assured of regular visits, they could organise and, further, the incentive would be greater for players in both countries to play Rugby League football. And, too, it would assist in preventing New Zealanders going to England, as they had no tours ahead players would become apathetic. CHARGE OF INACTIVITY In moving that the New South Wales committee should discuss the question with the New Zealand managers, Mr. R. Savage (Balmain) declared that again the inactivity of the Board of Control had been revealed. Before long it would be advisable to consider whether the board, as at present constituted, should continue to function. The last team from New South Wales went to New Zealand in 1922, and it was time another was sent there. A.s New Zealand was only three days distant, it was deplorable that such a state of affairs should exist. Mr. ,S. G. Ball, a member of the Board of Control, denied that that body had been apathetic, and instanced how, two or three years ago, two New Zealand representatives had been brought to Sydney, and one sent to New Zealand from New South Wales, as a result of which a scheme had been submitted. The motion was carried.