LEAGUE CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 104, 4 May 1929, Page 22

LEAGUE CRISIS.

ECHO OF 1927 SEASON ! WEST COAST DISSENSION.

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT. A sequel to certain disqualifications of Rugby League players, and lately dealt with by tlie X.Z. Council which met at Auckland, evidently created some lively discussion at tlie meeting of the West Coast executive on Monday evening. The Greymouth correspondent of the Lytteltou "Times" reported the refusal of the council to disclose the reasons for the disqualification of seven members of the New Zealand touring team of 1927. The Press report of the council's conference, together with a lengthy report by Mr. J. D. Wingham, the centre's delegate, were read. In reply to a question by Mr. C. W. Lovell as to what would happen if the West Coast played the disqualified men, it was stated that probably all the members would be disqualified, "but they could not get into much further trouble, as they were not getting much help as it was. If the men were played it might make the council reopen, the case, as 'the West Coast was an important centre." "It would isolate us, and we would not get any games," said a member. Mr. Lovell said the centre could not afford to do that. He considered the Coast was up against it until there was a change of council. "We get little or no help from Auckland," he added, "and we have not had any teams here for two years. We are really a little world of our own." As vice-president, Mr. Wingham said he could not countenance any such action as suggested. Auckland, he thought, would have to give in in its attitude of predominance, concerning the advisability of the transfer of headquarters to Wellington, and the possibility of a conference of South Island delegates to consider the position.

Council's Policy. Commenting on the above report, Mr. Cyril Snedden, chairman of the New ■ Zealand Council, said it was regrettable that the West Coast regarded the disqualifications arising out of the last tour of England in that light, especially wheu the centre went so far as to threaten to defy the council. The truth was that this body was doing its utmost to serve the best interests of the game on a national basis, without neglecting the South Island. 'T may say that for the first, time in the history of the code two of last year's Test fixtures with the Englishmen were played there. The English team also visited the West Coast and played two matches, one against the Coast and the other against Buller. When the Auckland team tours it includes the West Coast in its itinerary. Still, it must be admitted that the Coast by its geographical position is isolated, and, as a speaker declares, is a little world of its own. We cannot help that. However, the council, both morally and materially, has done, and is doing its best for all the Leagues with the limited resources at its disposal. We know th;t there is a desire from some directions to have headquarters shifted from Auckland, but it is hard to see what advantage would accrue from the taking of that step until more development has taken place throughout the Dominion as the result of the good work being carried out. The recent annual meeting was very successful, and from reports dealt with prospects are encouraging. Therefore any petty dissension at this stage is to be regretted. Disqualification Facts. "No question was asked, but an application was before the council, not seeking reasons for the disqualifications of seven members of the New Zealand touring team, but for the uplifting of the disqualification imposed upon Wright, Mouat and Petersen. This was refused. I may add that subsequent to the disqualifications in 1927 every League, through its direct representative, was given ail opportunity to peruse all j reports in connection with this matter.! Each League availed itself of this oppor-j tunity, after which I declared the matter! to be finally closed." /I