REFEREE PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 11

REFEREE PROBLEM.

POSITION OF SPECIAL BOARD. DEPUTATION - TO A.EX. PROBABLE REVERSION TO OLD SYSTEM. The management; committee of the Auckland Rugby League was occupied until 11 p.m. last night, nearly two hours being devoted to discussion upon the Referees' Appointment Board as set up last season. Mr. George Rhodes presided over an attendance of 20 delegates. Messrs. A. Ball (chairman) and "V. Simpson (secretary) headed'a deputation from the Referees' Association which sought a definite understanding as to whether the A.R.L. intended to enforce the full activity of the board, the members of which were expected to a-rade, examine and appoint referees. Mr. Simpson said it had been definitely established that the board could not separate the- function of grading from that of appointing, as the association knew by experience. It was only by effective" grading and appointment that the vounger referees could advance. As more matches than ever had to be controlled this year, the association desired the full co-operation of the League. Mr. L. Bull said the A.R.L. nominee, Mr. Stallworthy, took up the attitude that he was only concerned with the appointments to senior matches, whereas it was definitely laid down when the board was set up that it was to examine, oxade and appoint. This was the agreement and the association desired enforcement. The speaker said that he had had difficulty already in pacifying the referees owing to the unsatisfactory position created. It seemed that the beat thin 0- would be to revert to the old appointment system of the association, this having been departed from apparently just to suit the whims of severalclubs. The action was unjustified and unfair to the association, which was well organised and had served the best interests of the game.

The chairman appealed for useful questions or suggestions to settle the matter. Mr. Davidson remarked that as far as he understood, the appointments board was never intended to grade referees, but purely to deal with referees for Carlaw Park. Mr Simpson mentioned that in spite of that Mr. Stallworthy had twice carried out junior appointments, so that was another anomaly. After Mr. Mincham had drawn attention to his earlier warnings about the setting up of tlie board. Mr. Redwood said he recollected that when the board was created he had pointed out the difficulty of getting members_ to perform the duty of examining, grading and appointing. ... Mr. Simpson said the association lormerlv olaced only A grade referees on Car law" Park, but in order to encourage talent, power was given to permit lower grade members receiving trial. Misapprehension Admitted. The chairman said he certainly was under the impression that the board was intended to deal with referees for Carlaw Park alone. ' - . Mr. Solomon said that was the instruction given to Mr. Stallworthy. Mr. Rhodes agreed with this and added that the League did not want either to impose on Mr. Stallworthy now or break faith with the referees. A motion instructing Mr. Stallworthy to attend the referees' meeting on Mondav evenings and carry out the full functions stipulated, was submitted. Mi". Redwood considered that the gentleman,

in the circumstances, should be given opportunity to withdraw. The matter should be "immediately finalised, as the referees desired to get into their schedule of work for the season. Mr. Ball said the referees would be satisfied with Mr. Stallworthy, who originated'the grading system. Another member said the suggested resolution was merely what the referees had asked for last year. The chairman said that there was undoubtedly a misapprehension among members, as to what constituted the duties of the A.R.L. nominee. Mr. Solomon: Mr. Stallworthy was advised that he did not require to attend the referees' meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Adamson and adopted by ten votes to nine, the chairman assuring the deputation that the management now fullv understood the matter and would do nothing to hamper the association's progress. The whole subject would be cleared up next week, after Mr. Stallworthy had been consulted. The general business consisted of a report from the judicial committee that Dufty, who was ordered off last Saturday, was severely cautioned; advice that the City Council had allocated the usual grounds, and formal approval of transfers of several players.