FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1919, Page 5

FOOTBALL.

ONE RUGBY CODE. DR. THACKER'S PLEA, .. , ~,. „ Clirlstchurch, Aug. 86. A plea for one Rugby code w»b m,tde by lb* Mayor (Dr. Tliackcr, M.P.), iu welcoming 'h» Australian League loom at the City Council Chamber. Ho said he wanted to see an end to squabbling aud diversity of rules, so that there could be one Rugby code, malting possible a round of mutches !n America, Brlutlo, Australia, Africa, and New Zealand. "W», In the Rugby League code, Uilnlt we lead aa far aa rules go," tho Mayor added. "TVe muat be leading, because Auckland Is adopting our gain* ond falling out with tho old conservative Rugby TJnlon. (Hear, hear.) Tho Rugby Union In the country Is not conser.atlve, but la lt«d | to the conservative English Rugby Union, for I the game there Is the game for the upptr classes, of the universities, and bo on. A man who Is a worker, however, should not be prevented, If ho Is a champion, from going on tour simply because his earning capacity !» cut off. When our men went from this country they were amateur soldiers, but they had to be paid. There should be no different* If a man has to go on tour to contest in iport. Nobody would think of calling our soldiers pro* tesslonals, and nobody should call out champions professionals."