WHO IS TO CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CRICKET?

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8145, 22 May 1906, Page 3

WHO IS TO CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CRICKET?

THE DEADLOCK EXPLAINED. Headers of the daily papers have doubtless been more or less interested in the reports "bf what has been styled "tha cricket crisis," and "the man in the street" will be glad to receive an authoritative statemeut as to the cause of the crisis, and the position of the parties. Mr L. A. Adamson, AI.A., who, until his resignation a few days ago, occupied the dual position of Chairman of the Viotorian Cricket Association and the Australian- Board of Control, has kindly copsented to state the position, says "Life." "WHAT ARE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN MfiMBEKS PAID? "There has been a feeling of dissatisfaction for sometime," says Mr Adamson, "as to tho conditions under which Australian Elevens go to England. Owing to what can only be termed tho extraordinary secrecy observed by members of homogoing Elevens, as" to tho division of profits, statements were freely made that sometimes other considerations than merit were allowed to weigh in choosing the team; it was said, for instance, that men occasionally consented to go tor a halfshare,or evSa for the m.*re honour and pleasure of the trip—and whilst these statements were onenly contradicted by the players, the silence observed us to the amounts received, lent colour to them. A meeting was held in Sydney in 1905 to discuss the formation of a Board of Control. Two repremMiiatives each from New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia attended, and a constitution was agteed to; but certain amendment were subsequently made by New South Wales and Viotoria; and the South Australian Association, disagreeing with them, declined to join • the Board. The points of difference were that "South Australia insisted upon separate representation for the players, and thut the Board 'Should not interfere in any way with the visits of the Eleven to Englaud. As a matW of fact the Board never proposed to interfere with -the division of profits. TflE M.C.C. AS PEACEMAKERS.

"Then tho M.C.Oi who had latterly, singly or with the Sydney trustees, arranged the Australian • end of the English Elevons'tours—- . naturally disliked loriug the prestige attached to that task. Conferences were" held between representatives of the JVI.O'O. and tlie Victorian Cricket Association, uith a view to clearing away the difficulties in the way of ail parties recognising the Board ot Control. It Was thought, on both sidee, that if the M.O.C. were given separate representation the players and the South Australian Association might withdraw their objections. The V.O.A. deoided to support representation for the M.0.0., and it was finally agreed to by New South Wales and Queenlsand that tho number of delegates from each State should be increased to three, one of Victoria's trio to be nominated by the M.C.O. The M.C.C., on its side, consented to try and reconcile the South: Australian Association and , the players. The M.O.C, found, however, much to their own sur- i prise, 1 think, that the players dirj not rega'-d the M.C.O. representation as sufficient guarantee that their interests would be looked after, and though the South Australian Association eventually agreed to withdraw their demand for separate representation for the [layers; thpy still insistad that the Board of Contiol should not undertake the financial responsibilities of Australian teams going to England. JEhe disagreement was then brought down to a single point—namely, as to whether the words 'if nceessary' should be inserted in the phrase desrcibiug the objects of the Board, before the word 'finance 1 tia follows: 'To control, regulate, and (if necessary) finance Australian Elevens visiting England.' This meant standing any loss—most unlikely contingency—or advancing any money necessary, to inaugurate the tour—a thing which has recently, when required, been done by the M.O.C. . "Unhappily the parties who disagreed on this point looked at it from diffflrent aspects—one side evidently thinking that the play«ra •would decide the necessity or otherwise; and the other thinking that the Board would deoide. The New South Wales Association and the majority of the Victorian Association came to the conclusion that this would endanger one of the principles—perhaps the most important—

on which the Board was formed, and they therefore refused to insert the word 9 'if necessary.' \ WHO WILL BRING OUT THE ENGLISH TEAM? "Hence there are two rival parties in Australian cricket—the M.C.O. and the S.A» Association (with whom the majority of the players are -allied), on the one side; and the New South Wales and Victorian Associations on the other. The only question that will interest the general public is the effect that the dispute will have on the next English Eleven, and it might be as well to glance at the position on the other side of the water. There, the Marylebone Cricket Club came to the conclusion that all English teams should ooraeto Australia under the control of a responsible - body, and it was under their management that the last team came out. The Marylebone Olub says (according to letters and more recent cables) that it will not send out en Eleven until the differences here are settled, If the Club was determined that no English Eleven should come out until matters here were fixed up, that would quickly end the dispute. Hut it is practically certain that it would do nbthing to binder an Eleven, under other außpices, coming out at the invitation of the M. 0.0. and the South Australian Association. There is no doubt that a first-class Eleven could be broaßht oat; bat its whole financial success or failure depends on tbe Sydney Orioket Ground could be secured for the Sydney matches. The M.0.0. hag,gone the length of applying for the use of the ground for dates corresponding to the last international tour but the

trustees of the Sydney ground have not committed themselves. < There is a fine legal point involved. The New South Wales Association claims that the land was granted on the understanding that it should have first right to its use; the M. 0.0. claims that the understanding was that, not the New Suuth Wales Associate, but cricket, as opposed to cycling or football, should have first claim. Counsel's opinions on both sides are absolutely positivt, and the probable settlement of th« dis pute will have to be through the Supreme Court. Of couise, if the Sydney Ground were not available, it would mean the financial failure of the tour, ae it is safe to say that more than two thirds of the total takings of the Test Matohes are made in Sydney.