FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 164, 10 January 1914, Page 7

FOOTBALL.

A IIONKY-MAKIXi: (IAMK. An ell'ort is to be. made to prevent the easy trausfor of Kughy i footballers between Australian and New Zealand clubs and those of Ibis country (says an liiglish writer). It would appear til at the English clubs tear tbat some of the players who are to visit j .New South Wales next winter may be tempted to remain in Australia. At a meeting of the Northern Football Union, held at lhldderslield, it was decided tV sng'gest to the New South Wales League and the New Keulaml ■ League agreements which-would prevent, any visiting • player transferrin!; his services until surest ion is that the colonial leagues and the Northern Union, .should undertake not to "approach directly or in'directly" any player during a tour. In tin' interests of Au-lralian sport it is to lie hoped the playiTs tliciv will ivsivs

this high-handed little scheme. It mean* of course, that unle-s a man stops playing for two years be can only plav loolb:\ll in one country, except as a visitor; altogether it is evidence of the extreme policy of money-making which governs .Kugbv football in Northern Fugland. I fere players are compelled to enter into long agreements under which they can lie sold almost as cattle. In a provincial paper before mu-as I write, there is the report of I'IMIIKI being offered for the tranit'cr of ticorgc ftley, the idcver liornsley h ill' back, from liarnsley to Shellicld. The ollVr. we are told, "caused considerable consternation ill the colliery town." "Mr. Nicholson, the United secretary, met tlie llarnslcv illlectors, and the matter was considered .at, some length." Very little of this .sale money goes to tile players. In fail, footballers hi this coniitry enjoy few of the privileges which attend the progress of the successful man in Sw'ncv. I.ike tile professional cricketers, they are oil very low wages, anil Ire treated as hirelings, and not permitted to forg'et that thev follow -port for money Slid not for the sheer love of it. The :ii members of tile Northern I'niou who are to go to .Sydney next vcar are to receive 10s a week while on board ship, iOs a week while on hi ml. anil .CIO bonus prior to leaving for home. Muried men also receive .CI IDs a week, and allowance is made for single men Jiaving dependents. At the coiiehi-ion ,of the tour one-third of the profits are divided among tint players.