ANTIQUATED RUGBY RULE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 5

ANTIQUATED RUGBY RULE.

LAWTON'S SUSPENSION REMOVED. LONDON, February 25. The suspension of YV. T. Lawton, the Australian Rhodes scholar, has been removed by the English Rugby Union, i The ''Daily Telegraph"' says that Rugby circles, both in Britain and in the Dominions, will welcome the removal of Lawton's suspension. No one could possibly contend that Lawton had offended against the spirit of amateurism. The Rugby Union's professional rules were devised 30 years ago. and did not provide for a state of affairs such as existed in Queensland to-day. where only 13-a----sidc Rugby wa-s played. The revision of the rule was clearly demanded, otherwise every- Australian player, except those from Sydney, would encounter trouble when they wished to play in England—(A. and* N.Z. Cable.) THE COMMISSION'S REPORT. iKeceived 9.30 a.tn.i LONDON. February 25. The Rugby' L'nion has published the commission's report, which finds that Lawton, Burton, and Orenning contravened rules regarding professionalism, but as players in Queensland had no choice but to play the Rugby League game, and these three men had not received money, or signed the Rugby League forms, the commission advises that their suspension be removed. The commission finds no breach of the rules by plavcrs from other Australian States. fA. and X.Z. Cable.)