“DUFTY” CASE CLOSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1081, 19 September 1930, Page 16

“DUFTY” CASE CLOSED

LEAGUE COUNCIL MAKES; STATEMENT “PLAYER WAS DEFIANT” The “Dufty” case may now be considered closed, at least till such time as the player himself approaches the authorities and shows sufficient cause why the suspension imposed on him should be lifted. The Council of Management of the New Zealand Rugby Football League last evening considered in committee the letter of protest from the Ellerslie Club, at the close of which Mr. C. A. Snedden, the chairman, handed the following statement to the Press: Dufty was suspended for refusing to play football. He was selected as a member of the touring team to play Auckland and endeavoured to force the New Zealand Rugby League Council to pay him for playing by means of a threat. He carried this threat into ‘effect, and did not play. When called upon for an explanation and given an opportunity to explain he was defiant. The recommendation of the Auckland Rugby League that the facts of the Dufty case be made public as soon as possible, was also considered by the council, and in addition to giving reasons why Dufty did not play, it was decided to forward to the Ellerslie Club, through the Auckland Rugby League, the following statement: — The Now Zealand Rugby League I Council has, and reserves unto j itself, the right to deal with all players and all matters api>e£taming to players under its control, as it deems advisable. Further, the council is fuUy conscious of the fact that it has a duty to perform in the administration and control of the code in New Zealand.