NEPIA AND LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 6

NEPIA AND LEAGUE.

HULL'S APPLICATION

GRANTED BY N.Z. COUNCIL.

The statement credited to Mr. J. Carlaw, chairman of the New Zealand Ru-*by Council, published this morning, which denies that a clearance has been granted to George Nepia, the wellknown All Black footballer, to play for the Hull League Club, England, has caused surprise in local League circles. Maybe the denial is based upon the word "clearance," but that does not affect the position, as the permit has been "ranted, and was granted, by the way, on the motion of Mr. Carlaw Himself. On Monday week last a cable was received by the council from Mr. F. Wilson, secretary of the English League, asking that Nepia be granted a permit to play for the Hull League Club, England, and the matter was discussed by members of the council t"hat day during the lunch hour. It was then decided to let the matter stand over till Thursday, in order that the council could give the question consideration, and also go into an agreement made between the New | Zealand and English Leagues come years ago. On the Thursday evening the matter was considered, and the permit was granted. The agreement reached with the English League in 1909 or 1910 is interesting in view of the position which has cropped up, and the following paragraph appears in the standing orders of the Li-ague: — "Any player belonging to any League club in membership with the Rugby League and the New Zealand League , shall not be allowed to play in any j other league without the consent of the club to which he belongs, such consent to be obtained through the League- of which such club is a member. In case of a player wishing to leave one League for another, and his transfer being refused by the club he is leaving, such player shall be allowed to play in the country of his adoption after a two years'" residential qualification. Any touring player's qualification to date from the completion of the tour. In the case of the New Zealand League it shall, for the purpose of this standing order, have power to give or withhold the transfers of men playing Rugby football in its sphere of influence, even though such players are not actually in memlership with such League." It will be seen from the above that the concluding sentence overrides the rule which makes the residential two years' qualification necessary, and gives the council the right- to grant a permit.