SUGGESTED RULE AMENDMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 25 May 1923, Page 7

SUGGESTED RULE AMENDMENT

THE MAORI TOUR. The first meeting of the new Management Committee of the New Zealand Kugby Union was held on Wednesday night. Mr. S. S. Deans (chairman) presiding. . Correspondence was received from the -sew South Wales Union in regard to the -ilnori team, stating that the Manuka, leaving June 8, would be the last boat to connect with their first match, and the matter of securing berths was left with the chairman. It was stated that Mr. Parata would probably accompany the team. Prior to leaving a match will be played between tho Maoris nnd either the Hamilton or Manawatu Unions, the choice being not yet made. A letter from the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association submitted questions regarding the laws of the game. (1) An amendment to the laws of the game to read as follows: That ln case of carrying back, heeling, pressing, or knocking over the goal line to force down, and of deliberately throwing Into touch, that the referee should blow his whistle and order the scrum and free kick respectively without waiting for the appeal. (2) To submit to the English Rugby Union for an interpretation thereon: The taker of a "mark" was knocked out in doing po, and was consequently unable to take the kick. Should the referee allow another player to take the kick or give a scrummage? The questions will be sent forward via the proper channels. Mr. W. Parata wrote suggesting that it be recommended to the New South Wales Union that the Maori team's match against Country or Metropolitan at Sydney to be played on the Wednesday following the last test, which would allow of a week between first and second tests, and that a match on the Wednesday prior to sailing would tend to keep the team fit for the New Zealand matches. The suggestion was forwarded to the New South Wales Union. Mr. Cluthft Mackenzie, on behalf of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial, wrote that *jhe New Zealand committee was deeply gateful to Rugby men generally for the splendid response received. It was mentioned that the Canterbury Union had donated f3OO.