RUGBY IN N.Z.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 96, 24 April 1931, Page 16

RUGBY IN N.Z.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. POLICY MEASURES AHEAD. MATERIAL FOB DEBATE. (By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The annual meeting of the Xew Zealand Rugby Union next week will be noteworthy for the policy questions tr.ro, will have to be decided. In many wiys it will be the most important meeting held since the war, and it is almost certain to be one of the longest. The distribution of the handsome profit of nearly £22,000 made from the British team's tour last season, the ultimatum of'tlie English Rugby Union that Xew Zealand must play the old rules, and the question of the broadcasting of matches this season will 02 three subjects that will provide additional material for debate this year. Xo recommendation is made in the annual report of the union as to how the profits of the British tour should be used, but the Wellington L T nion has a notice of motion 011 the order paper suggesting that the money should be divided among the affiliated unions and the parent body. Many of the country unions, which carry a big proportion of the voting at these meetings, favour a general distribution of the money, and it is reasonable to assume that some such scheme will be decided upon, though just what the conditions will be it is hard to forecast. Whatever is done the subject will provide the material for considerable debate. The broadcasting of matches is a subject that receives annual airings. It is not on the order paper this year, but it is sure to be advanced, and probably the Xew Zealand Union would welcome some lead from the annual meeting as to the policy favoured this year, in view of the scheduled tour of the Australian team. Last year most of the'country unions favoured broadcasting. Since then many of them have changed their views. It has been found that many people would rather stay at home in comfort beside a warm fire and listen to a good match being frag one of the centres than they would go out in the rain and cold to see one o,f the local club games. Undoubtedly the suggestion that the Broadcasting Company should pay something for the privilege of broadcasting matches will be made. The Canterbury Union has adopted this stand this year, and other unions are known to favour it. In any case broadcasting is sure to be discussed at some length, though it is hardly likely that closed door secrecy will be given the debate, ag it was la,st~ year. The rule question promises to provide the material for a pronounced clashing of opinions. The management committee and the Wellington and Otago Unions favour falling into line with the standard rules, but the Auckland Union delegates have been given a free hand in the matter, and the Canterbury and Hawke's Bay delegates have been instructed to vote for the amended rules. Those who favour the old rules will no doubt "urge that to flout the English Union's instructions would mean putting the Dominion outside the pale for future international tours. This is the view urged in the annual report. It will also be suggested that if Xew Zealand adopts the standard rules a seat on the International; Board, or some similar body, will be given later. With these two strong arguments those who favour reversion to the old rules will probably carry most of the voting strength. Another important question will be -that of curtailing inter-provincial tours as' much as possible in view of the present economic conditions. This is recommended in the annual report, and several South Island unions favour it. It is the Southern touring year this year, and Otago, Southland, Canterbury and South Canterbury teams are due to make northern trips, the first two as far as Auckland. Most unions, of course, will be wanting to fit in a visit to Wellington on the chance that such a call would result in a return home with the Ranfurly Shield, and the Wellington delegates will have difficulty in keeping the demands of others down to reasonable limits. The Canterbury delegates will, it is stated, suggest the postponement for this year of the visit of the Australian team. There is an agreement with the Xew South Wales Union that this tour should be made this year, but perhaps it could be abandoned by mutual agreement. The Xew Zealand Union has already suggested to the Australian authorities that the tour should ba made as late in the season as possible. The arranging of fixtures this year, with these subjects to be considered specially, promises to take even longer than usual, and with the volume of other important business delegates will not have a holiday in Wellington. Possibly the delegates were wiser than they knew when they decided last year that this meeting would begin in the morning instead of the afternoon. This arrangement should certainly give a better chance for full consideration of the important questions that will confront the legislators, and should avoid the unsatisfactory rushing through of big problems at the last minute, .is has so often happened at other meetings.