RUGBY LEAGUE
DOMINION TOURISTS RETURN.
OFFICIAL INQUIRY TO-DAY.
INSURGENTS DEMAND OPEN TRIAL. AUCKLAND, March 1. The tour of the New Zealand Rugby League footballers camo to an end today with the return of the team to Auckland. The only absentee was F. Henry, who remained in England to play for the York Club. Of the twenty-five players, six were under suspension for refusing to play while in England, and before the steamer, had berthed they were served with official notification that an inquiry into the trouble ivoulil be held tomorrow afternoon, when they had the right to appeal to the New Zealand League Council. Judging by the comments of different members of the party there has been no exaggeration of the discord in the ranks on tour. Some spoke reluctantly of a aeries of unsatisfactory, and at times stormy, incidents, while others were reticent. The general tendency was to say nothing until the inquiry is held.
The announcement that the council had decided to hold the inquiry in committee received a mixed reception, the general opinion being that in fairness to the players, Hie .public, and tho game itself, it is essential that the proceedings should be open to the Press. “There has been too much Star Chamber business all through the tour. That has been the trouble with the New Zealand League all along,’’’’ stated N. Mouatt, one of the suspended players. He was emphatic that his ease should be ventilated publicly and hinted that he would seriously consider the question of not appearing before -the council if the investigation were private. “I am not leaving the matter there. I am taking legal proceedings,” he said. 6 ’
. Mouatt’s contention regarding the inquiry was supported by the other suspended members — N. Peterson, J Wright, E. J. Carroll, W. Devine and H. Singe—in addition to the team manager (Mr. E. H. Mair), the financial manager (Mr. G. H. Ponder) and the majority of the nineteen loyalists. Both Mr. Mair, who at one stage was suspended by the English Reague, and Mr. Ponder, said they preferred to remain silent regarding the discontent. Mr. Mair said it was a great tour spoiled Ho had done his level best to treat all alike and pull with the men, but he could not contend with the personal bitterness shown to him as manager. He hoped the inquiry would be open, lhe, fact that the team w*on 50 per cent of its matches, notwithstanding the severe depletion of its forward ranks, was regarded as very satisfactory. Davidson, L. Brown and L. Mason wore approached by English clubs, and it is probable they will receive tempting offers if the residential ban on Players rom the Dominions is lifted — (P.A.)
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Wairarapa Age, 2 March 1927, Page 5
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452RUGBY LEAGUE Wairarapa Age, 2 March 1927, Page 5
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