PROTEST BY RUGBY LEAGUE AT DECISION ON MILITARY LEAVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 148, 25 June 1942, Page 7

PROTEST BY RUGBY LEAGUE AT DECISION ON MILITARY LEAVE

" I regret I am unable to allow any men extra leave for sport other than for Rugby Union and hockey teams on Saturdays." This was the closing clause in a letter from the commanding officer of a military camp close to Auckland in answer to a request from the Otahuhu League football club for leave for a member of that club to play for his club. This was brought before the Auckland Kugby league Board of Control last evening. Mr. J. W. Watson, the chairman, thought the time had arrived when .strong action should be taken on this question of the feeling in some military quarters against the League code. He realised that any complaint might be visited upon the player concerned, but action should be taken in view of the assurance of the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, that no bias would be shown towards League players and that leave would be granted to them equally with any other game of football. Members spoke strongly and with feeling upon this question, and it was decided that the chairman, secretary and treasurer should take urgent action and, if necessary, communicate with the Minister of Defence immediately. A representative match with South Auckland was arranged for July 11 at Carlaw Park. The South Auckland schoolI boys will play a curtain-raiser on the same I date with the Auckland schoolboy' repre- ; sentatives for the Golden Bloom Banner. I Senior fixtures for Saturday.—Clty-Ota-huhu v. Ponsonby, Carlaw Park No. 1, 3 I pjn., H. Tate; Manukati v Carlaw Park No. 1, 1.45 p.m., J. Hawkes Marist-North Shore v. Newton-Moum. Albert, Carlaw Park No. 2, 3 p.m., A. Pearson.