FOOTBALL CLASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 112, 14 May 1935, Page 9

FOOTBALL CLASH.

USE OF GROUNDS.

LEAGUE AND RUGBY

INTERESTS. AUSTRALIAN PRESSURE HINTED AT. (By Telegraph.— Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. A suggestion that if the Xew Zealand Rugby Union does not grant the use

i.f Rugby grounds to the New South Wales touring League team in September next, Australian Leagues will retaliate by refusing the use of the Sydney Cricket Ground, and possibly other major grounds under their control, to the touring Maori Rugby team and other New Zealand Rugby teams in Australia, was made at a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Rugby League. The suggestion was made following a report of the secretary that he had written to the Lancaster Park Board of Control asking for the use of Lancaster Park on a Sauirday in September when the New South 'Wales team would be playing a match in tho city. The Lancaster Park Board hud advised in reply that it regretted it had no power to grant the request.

Mr. C. T. Rix said he had read in a Sydney paper that the matter had been discussed by the New South Wales Board of Control, and it was hinted that if the New Zealand Rugby Union refused the New South Wales touring team in New Zealand the right to Use its major grounds in this country "they were going to do a bit of boycotting." 'What do you mean by boycotting!" asked Mr. W. S. E. Moyle, who presided. "Well," said Mr. Rix, "they consider over there that if the New Zealand Union does not grant them this rourtesy they will refuse to allow the All Blacks to use the Sydney Cricket Ground."

Mr. R. A. Drury explained that Sydney Cricket Ground was controlled by the New South Wales League, except for four Saturdays in each season when inter-State Rugby matches were played there. Those four Saturdays were already allotted. New South Wales League had always shown its willingness to help other codes by granting them the use of its ground, sometimes without application being made.. It was decided to notify the New Zealand Rugby League Council of the reply by the Lancaster Park Board 01 Control.

It was stated after the meptin<r that further application will bo ninde for the use of Lancaster P.->-k. this time to the Canterbury Rugby Union.