RUGBY CODE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 191, 13 August 1919, Page 9

RUGBY CODE.

THE AUCKLAND AMENDMENTS QUESTION OF SITERVISION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELXJXGTON, Tuesday. The question of amended rules was again discussed by the management committee of the Now Zealand Rugby L'nion to-night. The Auckland l'nion forwarded the following telegram: " Five modified rules were played on August 2 and 9 by the committee after legal advice. Respectfully submit for the consideration of your committee that under the rules of the New Zealand L'nion the playing of these modified rules in intorclub matches is solely within the' control of the local union, and does not constitute any breach of any rules of the New Zealand l'nion."

Speakers expressed disagreement with the views of the Auckland L'nion.

Mr. T. H. Jones said that, if the Knglish union could prevent Now Zealand from adopting the alterations to the rules of the game, thou tie Now Zealand l'nion could prevent Auckland from playing the new rules.

It was stated that a new management committee had been elected by the Auckland l'nion. and Mr. Kitto asked if it was known whether the new committee were going to play the live rules.

Mr. Marris: I don't know about the committee, but 1 think the wording of the wire is quite definite—that they are .coin"; to play the live rules irrespective of consequences.

Mr. Hour: If wo allow this lo go on there will be no end to it. Something will have lo be done.

Mr. Marris: It can't go on. that is a certainty.

Mr. Crawford thought the committee should bo guided by the loiter from the Knglish Rugby l'nion, pending the genoral mooting of delegates in September, and in view of Che English Cnion's letters, all affiliated unions should bo informed that they could not play modifications. The Auckland l'nion should be warned that if it continued to play tho five amendments it had adopted, then it would be liable to suspension.

The chairman said he agreed with the views expressed by Mr. Crawford that ponding the general meeting of delegates in September all unions should he requested to refrain from playing amendments. As far as Auckland was concerned they should tio thorn down, and at once issue instructions that no amendments at all were to be played. Ii they did not do that. Au-kland would continue to eiado tiie issue.

Eventually tiie following motion was carried: •'The effect of the letter received from the English Rugby l'nion being that no amendments or modifications of the rules of tho game can he introduced, this committee promulgates as instruction to all affiliated unions that until tho next meeting of delegates on September ID none of the amende.l rules arc to be played. Failing compliance with those instructions the committee will be compelled to deal in a drastic manner with any unions not complying. The consequent refusal to comply will nean the suspension of any union . oneerned."

It was decided to telerrrnph instructions to all unions immediately.

Members generally expressed the opinion that it would be better to give the Auckland l'nion another chance before inking any drastic action in the direction of suspension.