LEAGUE BAN REMOVED

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 11

LEAGUE BAN REMOVED

ENGLISH CLUBS' BOMB. JJOT OFFICIALLY KNOWN TO N.Z. COUNCIL. 3? 1 ' T OFFERS TO CITY PLAYERS. •TJntil we have been officially informed that the ban has been lifted we cannot Bay anything." In these words Mr. Snedden, president of the New Zealand Rugby League, withheld official pronouncement on the cabled news via Press Association from London, that the English Rugby League by 20 votes to 9 had cancelled the agreement with Australia and New Zealand restricting the signing on of players under the two years residential qualification rule. Mr. Snedden said the news was probably correct, but they had not been officially informed of the lifting of the ban. While withholding any personal views, he said: "When the team was at home an effort was made to lift the ban but it was defeated largely through the instrumentality of the New Zealand and Australian representatives; but now it would seem that the English cluba who wanted it lifted then have been successful."

Just recently the New Zealand Rugby League refused to approve applications for transfer by L. Brown and B. Davidson, of City Club, Auckland, to Wigan. England, but the lifting of the ban'has changed the whole situation. If it is correct, and there seems not a shadow of reason to doubt it, the players are free to go, and as both have expressed their desire to do so, the Dominion will have to be reconciled to their loss. Late yesterday afternoon B. Davidson received the following telegram:— "Two years' ban removed. Do you accept my terms?—Dannett, Hull." This morning L. Brown received the following from the Wigan Club:— "Ban removed. Am booking passages for Davidson, his wife, and you, first available boat. (Signed) Taylor, secretary, Wigan Rugby League Club." 6 Interviewed, Davidson said he was naturally disappointed when the New Zealand authorities refused to sanction his clearance, but he was delighted that he was now able to go. The reason why the first cable came from Hull was because he had previously been asked by that club to play before signing a formal contract to play for Wigan if permission were granted. Brown, in expressing his pleasure, states that he would have liked to have left with the sanction of the New Zealand League rather than that release should have come in this way. He would, go, of course, as soon as he could straighten up ids affairs, and he expected that Davidson would go with him. ' Question Previously Considered. When the Rjigby League team was on tour in England, an important meeting was held at Manchester to consider the request of Wigan to lift the ban on Rugby League players. Writing to the "Star" on the matter in January, Mr. E. H. Mair said:

-i: .-•% "New Zealand was represented by Mr. jpv "Ponder and 1, but early in thf meeting', although our right to speak and vote was questioned, it was decided that both of us could speak but only one could vote. Australia was not represented v . unfortunately, as recently, when we brought the farcical position before the English Council, of Australia and New Zealand having two representatives in England, and not having the privilege to sit or vote, they immediately realised the unfairness of it and unanimously decided to give Australia and New Zealand the right to attend the annual meeting to speak and vote. Many interesting arguments were put forward in favour and against the proposition. Several English clubs asked had the council the right to end an agreement, whereas others contended that one party to a contract had a perfect right, providing it gave sufficient notice to do so, if in their opinion it had served its purpose and would be better for the game. Several clubs in favour of lifting the ban argued that sufficient time would be given before it came into operation, that the game in England required a fillip, that the game in England was at a standstill. The liberty of the subject was another argument advanced for the raising of the ban. and a lea'ding official in Australia was quoted to the effect that the exchange of English players such as Parkin, Sullivan and Co. would be good for the came in the colonies. Another contention was that it should not be morally lifted, but a better plan would be to approach Australia and New Zealand again to change their decision (not to lift the ban). Furthermore, as. the colonies had sent their decision unanimously, if the game was to progress their wishes should be favourably considered. "When the motion to lift the ban and the amendment to go no further than lift the ban on union players were put. the amendment won by one vote. "It is an open secret that four New Zealanders and six players from New South Wales and Queensland would have been secured. "The New Zealand representatives raised the noint of representation. Australia and New Zealand had two votes to 29 in such an important matter, only the same voting power as an English club.