AGAINST POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 177, 29 July 1938, Page 13

AGAINST POLICY.

SUBSIDISING CLUB TOURS. ' LEAGUE COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE. , Applications to the New Zealand Rugby ! League last evening for reimbursement of expenses in respect of the Newton team's ! trip to Christchureh and for a subsidy on the trip of Mount Albert to play Bay of Plenty at Rotorua on Saturday, were supported by the Auckland Rugby League on the ground that theae matches were in the national interests of the game. The Mount Albert Club pointed out , that it had made various such match excursions, and this was the first time it sought assistance from the council. The chairman said it was definitely not ' the policy of the council to subsidise clubs, \ otherwise there would be no limit to club requests. Mr. Doble, in moving a motion in , favour of a payment in regard to Newton. . said the opinion was general that Auckland clubs did much propaganda touring, but got no benefit as far as the council was concerned. Mr. Stallworthy said the game was well established in Canterbury, and Newton's ' trip could not be considered propaganda. Regarding the Mount Albert trip, Mr. , Doble moved that the council grant £20. ' Mr. E. K. Aeber seconded. Mr. H. Wilson said he thought the ; Mount Albert trip was in a different cate--1 gory to that of the Newton Club, and might receive more support if the amount suggested was lower. Mr. Leese said the Mount Albert \ application confirmed the danger of setting up «t precedent of subsidies to clubs, and ; he thought the council should make an i annual grant each year to all leagues for this purpose. The chairman said ifajthese applications • were satisfied, Canterbury and West Coast , Leagues were entitled to similar coneidera- ; tion for club trips. Mr. Asher expressed the opinion that if. the Mount Albert match at Rotorua. a new district, where Bay of Plenty were ;. to be the opponents, was not propaganda he did -not know what was. t -Mr.* W.O. Carlaw said the trouble was . that arrangements for club tours' were made without .reference to the council. ; which ~ was subsequently approached for , subsidies: If the council granted such an application other leagues would be en- " titled io make similar demands. "For • instance, Southern Leagues might send . the St. George team of Wellington and Western Suburbs team of Taranaki, to '■ play at Palrcereton North, and then ask I for financial support. r Mr. Redwood said the council might , revise its policy, as suggested by Mr. . Leese, but in the meantime he thought , the decision not to subsidise ■clubs should be adhered "to. It was not that the council • did not want to assist, but it had to pro- . tect itself from being plaoed in an em- . btrnsaing position. Both club subsidy applications were rejected hr ?«*•* «■_ .-»--. : ..