ON THE CARPET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1937, Page 17

ON THE CARPET.

MR. DEAN CRITICISED.

RUGBY TOUR OF AUSTRALIA.

ADMITS CONTRACT TO SEND ALL BLACKS IN 1938.

Wellington newspapers of yesterday reveal that there was considerable discussion at Wednesday's meeting of the executive of the X.Z.R.F.U. over the following notice of motion given by Mr. S. S. Dean for the next meeting of the newly constituted council, to be held on December 10: '"That the decision of the council passed at a meeting held on October 22, 'That the Xew Zealand tour to Australia be not undertaken next year, but we would favourably consider an invitation to visit Australia in 1939,' be rescinded."

In the course of a lengthy statement Mr. Dean made the following reference to the original decision to postpone the All Blacks' tour to Australia until 1939: "It was made apparent to members ' of the council that,-with the visit of the Springboks during the past season, immediately local teams had played their game against the visitors interest in local club football fell considerably. With a break in club games occasioned by trials and games with the visitors, the big majority of our players were left without any football at all, and quite a number drifted away to other games. Ihe visit also entailed great sacrifice o ftime by the players engaged j in the Tests, which was borne cheerfullv by them and their employers.

"The question then arose—Was it better to consolidate our own football by having a full season of club football with a limitation of interprovincial matches, and arranging with the Xew South Wales Rugby Union to forgo the tour to Australia this year, or to oarrv on as originally planned? The question of whether the team would win or lose their games if the tour eventuated was never taken into consideration. The council was actuated by the very best of motives for the good of our own football. Me have sent many teams to Australia in the past, and past executives have been admonished for arranging these tours at such frequent inter\als. I his position does not arise with the arrangements made to <*o to Australia in 19:S8.

"Hie Australian team i* due to vi*it 1 the Old Country at the end of the 19.i9 ? season, and it was felt that a tour in th'e : early part of that season would ( materially assist our friends across the , Jasman in their tour bv plaviji" some < games against their team, done ' by our 1905 and 1924 teams prior to ! their visits to the Old Country. Like- > wise, it would serve as a verv useful l! trying-out ground for tile Xew'Zealand ', team which is to tour South Africa the following season.

No Excuses For Defeat By S.A. "There is no desire to detract from the merit of the play of the Springboks. l We were beaten fairly and squarely bv what, I think, is one of the best team"* that has ever toured the Dominion, but » it is the lessons taught us and the experience gained that we are desirous of turning to profit, I am sure on reflection that this is a sound common-aense attitude to adopt. However, so that the matter of the tour to Australia can be reconsidered by the council, a notice of motion will be tabled so that the matter may be again discussed at the next meeting of the council, to be held on ' December 10."

Mr. J. Prendeville: Those are your own personal views, I presume. Mr. Dean: Certainly. Mr Prendeville said that he had aske<l at the last meeting of the council whether any agreement existed with Australia on the question of tours, and had been informed that no ajjrc-vnent existed. In 1934 the Wellington Lnimi had been in favour of a close season. Imt had been informed that an agreement existed with Australia extending until 19."1t5. "It seems to me." lie said, '•that members of the council have been plated j in a very invidious position in discovering that the agreement with Australia extends to 1935."'

Forgot All About Agreement! Mr. A. McDonald (190.3 All ]?!acki; I asked at the meet in™ of the council if any agreement existed with Australia, and was informed that the agreement had expired. I thought at the time tliat we acted somewhat hurriedly in the matter. Mr. Dean said lie had forgotten the agreement extended until 103 S. Mr. A. C. Kitto: When the question of cancelling the tour to Australia camp before the council, we took the word of the chairman that no agreement existed. Xow you ru*h into print and lend the impression that the rest of the committee are responsible for having cancelled the tour. Mr. Dean: I never knew that the agreement existed until I was so informed by Mr. Glasgow. Mr. Roache said New Zealand Rugbj would be better off without a tour tr Australia next year, but if an agree ment existed, they would have to stanc by it.