FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 64, 10 April 1909, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

-NEW ZEALAND REFEUEKS ASSOCIATION. The annual conference of New Zealand Referees opened in New Plymouth yesterday morning, in the New Plymouth Club rooms. Air. C. W. Oram presided, and the following delegates 'were preset: —Messrs. H. JlcFarlane (Otago), G. Batelielor (Nelson), I'. Ilawku iHawkes Hay), L. Pegler (Hustings), L. Sievers (Dannevirke), 11. Card (Weliington), A. W. Payne (Jlanawatuj, A. Larsen (\\ angauui), \V. L'owdivJ 1 (South Taranaki), J. Clark (Taraaaki), and J. M. Robb (lion. sec. New Zealand' Referees' Association). On behalf of the Taranaki Union Air. J. MeLeod extended a welcome to the delegates. He apologised for the absence of the president, Mr. F. T. Bellringer, and the chairman, Mr. W. OurSfiH. He considered it was a great honour to Taranaki to have the conference held here, and hoped it woulu have a beneficial effect on football. The Taranaki Rugby Union "was one of the smallest unions in New Zealand which was recognised as a first-class one. Tuey had over a dozen senior teams scattered over the province, ana each, as well as the juniors, had to travel long distances. This would show that they played the game for sport only. Footballers were with the Referees Association in the endeavour to make football what H ought to be. As an cx-footbajler lie recognised what tile referees had (lone for football, and had no aoubl mat their deliberations at the present conference would do more. All tile ideas of the Associations had not been taken up, but they should keep hammering away. Referees with tlu'ir knowledge of the game could see the weaknesses that were in it and where improvement could best be made, and it would only be a matter of time before their recommendations would be acted upon to a considerable extent. In conclusion he hoped their stay at New Plymouth would be an enjoyable 011 c. Jlr. J. C'rombie also extended a hearty welcome to the delegates. The Taranaki Union recognised the work the referees were doing for football, and conferences such as that now belug neld would tend to a uniform and proper interpretation of the rules of the game. Nothing would further the uniform interpretations more than these annual conferences. It was a common thin" after a game to hear the referee slightingly spoken of, but none could see better than the referee what had taken place, and everybody could not be pleased. The rcfereeing of to-day was of a high standard, and he hoped the conference would still further tend to maintaining that standard.

Mr. W. Powdrell alao spoke. Hugby football, lie said, owed much of its strength to good refereeing. Good referees meant good football. He hoped the work of the conference would have good results. The chairman Teturned thanks to th speakers for their kind welcome. They were here to do their best in the interests of football. If they had done wrll in the past they would do better in the future. If the welcome they had received was any criterion, lie felt sine that their stay in New Plymouth would be an enjoyable one. Apologies for absence were received from the president of the New Zealand Association (Mr. R. M. Isaacs) and -Mr. Angus Campbell of Auckland. Both gentlemen regretted being unable to attend, and wished the conference every success* The laws of the game were reviewed and the following suggestion as to interpretation made:— "In Touch."—Should any part of a player who is running with the ball swing into touch, or touch-in-goal, such player shall be considered in touch or touch-in-goal respectively.

That if a player carries the ball across the goal line, and, simultaneously with his placing tine ball on the ground, ail opponent places his hand on the ball, a try should be allowed—This motion was lost.

An amendment was then moved that a five-yard scrum be given.—Carried. That if a player with the ball runs back oveT his own goal with the intention of gaining the field of play, but before doing so is forced by life opponents to make the ball dead, a touch down should lie awarded. An amendment was carried that a case be stated to the Appeal Council for a ruling.—Carried. An amendment Was then moved that the original motion be acted upon in the meantime.—Carried. It wis decided that a recommendation be made to the associations to consider the question of taking steps to afford players an. opportunity of discussing the laws of the game with the referee?, with the object of familiarising players with the present interpretation. . .. . It was moved that associations lie wed to use every effort towards securing the insertion of a live-law 111 their local Rugby Union club contest rules whereby tlie appointment of referees to such matches be left solely m the hands of the loc-al Referees Association.

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Referees' Association will be held at 9 o'clock this morning. To-night the delegates will lie entertained at a dinner by the local association, and 011 Sunday \vill be taken for a drive to the North Egmont Mountain House.