LEAGUE GAME IN SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 114, 13 May 1920, Page 8

LEAGUE GAME IN SCHOOLS.

SUGGESTED IKTBOPTJCTXOJI. RECOMMEXDATTOX FROM AUCKLAND TO N.Z. COCNCTL. The, step taken ky the X.S.W. Rugby League in introducing the Rugby League game into the public schools throughout that portion of the Commonwealth, was recommended to the consideration of the management committee of tee Auckland Rugby League last evening by Mr. Livergidge, with a recommendation that the Xew Zealand Council should be asked to take the matter up with a view to the same being done in this Dominion. He suggested that the New Zealand Council was not sufficiently alive to such forward steps. The XJS.W. body were just the opposite, losing no opportunities to push their noses in when and wherever possible. He claimed that it was a very important matter that should be gone into fairy immediately. Mr. Pollock eaid that the matter had been before the Auckland League for at least two or three years. He could see the inadvisability" of taking such steps at the present time through their being a shortage of grounds, a matter which was exemplified earlier in the evening by a deputation. He considered it would be an unwise step under the circumstances to bring the school boys

, Several members suggested that school boys' games could be played in the mornings, thereby getting" over the ground* difficulty."

M r - O'Shaugbnessy, in giving support to tee recommendation, suggested that more weight would be given to the request of the league for additional grounds in the event of the game being introduced into the school?.

Mr. Endean also gave support to the suggestion and criticised the policy of the. Teachers' Association in exerting themselves against the suggested step as narrow-minded.

The chairman, Mr. Carlavr, said that he was perfectly in accord with the recommendation, but advised members to take Mr. Pollock's opinion as carrying some, weight.

Mr. Rowe contended that grounds would follow if the boys were brought in. He added that it was the X.Z. Council's duty to remove the maze of misapprehension that existed re the League game. It was an out-and-out amateur game, as much so as any game.

It was eventually decided to forward the. recommendation on to the N.Z. Council.