TOUR DEFERRED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1931, Page 9

TOUR DEFERRED

SOUTH AFRICA'S REASONS

TAX ON PLAYERS' TIME

The announcement made in "The Post" l .ently. that the invitation to the South African Rugby Board tp send' a team to Now Zealand in 1934 had not been accepted was confirmed in a letter received at last night's ■ meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union's Management Committee. The decision was: "That the board do uot accept for 1934 and the question of an acceptance be deferred for a later date. The letter, which expressed thanks for the invitation, stated that after the visit to England in 1931-32, South Africa would be sending a team to the Argentine, and would be receiving a visit from Australia in 1933. "These visits," the letter added, "cause considerable dislocation of club football, which, of course, is i the foundation of the game. The local representative games, such as the Currie Cup competition, suffer and players are . called upon at frequent intervals to obtain leave to be away from their work. In the present economic condition of the country it is feared that placing too heavy a tax on the time of players will produce public reaction against the game. Already there is a growing feeling against the frequency of tours. 1 trust that the circumstances set out above will enable your union to appreciate our difficulties." ■