FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 May 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL TEAM. ACTION TAKENBY N.Z. UNION, DECLARATION REQUIRED FROM PLAYERS Per Press Association. Wellington, May 21. At a special meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, it was resolved to require all players nominated tor the North and Soutli Island match to Blgn the following declaration before irheir claim for inclusion in teams is considered:— "I do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows: (1) That I have never asked, received or relied on a promise direct or implied to receive any money consideration whatever, actual or prospective, for playing football or rendering any service to a football organisation; (2) "And particularly that I have not asked, received or relied on any promise, direct or implied, to receive any money consideration whatever, actual or prospective, or to receive any benefit, from, nor have I promised or asked to be permitted to take part in any manner whatsoever, in a scheme having for its object the sending of a team of rugby footballers from Now Zealand to play football against the teams of the Northern Counties Rugby Union of England! "And 1 make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the same to be true, under and by virtue of the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1582." It was also resolved that each player selected for the North v. South Island mutch shall he required to give the following undertaking:— "I, in consideration of the New Zealand Rugby Union having selected me to be one of its representatives to take part in the match North Island v. South Island on 3rd June, do hereby promise and agree with the said Union:— (1) That I will not form one of tlie projected team of footballers which is to leave New Zealand to play against the Northern Counties of England; (2) "That I will not enter into any negotiation wiith any person with a' view to my becoming a member of any such team;

(3) "That I will not, actively or passively, be a party to or assist In any way the promotion of any such team; (4) "That if I am approached by any person or persons with a re- ■' quest that I should become a member of any such team, I shall at once notify the saij Union of the fact, and advise the said Union of the name of any person or persons so approaching me; (5) "That I will to the best of my ability assist the said Union in its desire to put down any attempt to induce any footballer in New, Zealand to make a breach of the rules as to professionalism, as adopted by the Hugby Football Union, and to this end will give the said Union all information bearing on the projected tour to England."

The secretary of the Tukapa Club has recoived a "collect" wire from the secretary of the T.R.U., in answer to his letter, Btating that as neither Elthaiu, Stratford nor Inglewood is observing Empire Bay as a holiday, the fixtures must be p!ayed on Thursday as arranged. He then telegraphed to Waitara, and ascertained that the Clifton seniors cannot play on Friday, so the TukapaClifton match must be played at Now, Plymouth to-morrow. The home players state they have little chance of obtaining leave. |> The following team will represent Tufcapa Ist junloTs against Wajtara on Thursday: Bullot, Webster, Stohr, Kirk, Douglas, George; GlyHes, Mathenson, Coker; Walsh; Hcndrlckson, McAllum, Coker, Sturmcy, Jones.