FOOTBALL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8708, 2 February 1894, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

THE ENGLISH AND NEW ZEALAND RUGBY UNIONS.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, February 1. Intimation has been received that the subCommittee of the English Rugby Union called Mr Sleigh, as representative of the Otago, to appear before it to give reason why. the Union remained outside the New Zealand Rugby IJnion. The Canterbury Union delegate was also asked to attend, bnt did hot do so, Mr Palliser, as representing the New Zealand Union, being present by invitation. Mr Sleigh stated a number 'of objections, and charged the New Zealand Union with professionalism. These having been answered by Mr Palliser, the Committee resolved that in its opinion the only reasonable objection Otago had to joining the New Zealand Union was that the representation on the Committee of the New Zealand Union was not a fair one, and that if steps could be taken in view oi giving large centres, such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, equal representation and those of other Unions smaller representation, on the lines of the English Union, the Committee would take seriously into consideration the question of a New Zealand team visiting England irrespective of Canterbury and Otago. The correspondense is to be placed before the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union.