LEAGUE SPLIT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18625, 25 February 1926, Page 9

LEAGUE SPLIT.

SUPPOET FOR EX-SECRE-TARY.

MR MOYLE ELECTED DELEGATE TO CENTRE,

The Linwooil Eugby League Club decided last night to lodge ''an emphatic protest" about the treatment of Mr W. S. E. Moylc, formerly secretary of the Canterbury League. As further proof of its confidence in Mr Moyle it elected him its president nud delegate to the Centre. It also decided to support the Sydenham Club in its resolution. "You all know what has been said about the League," said Mr J. Chick, a vice-president. "They are pleased to call it the split in the League, but I say that it will bo the solidarity of the League. I move that wo register an emphatic protest about the treatment, meted out to Mr Moyle. Ido not hold a brief for Mr Moyle, but having heard some inside tacts and the evidence, I say that this is the most damnable bit of business I have ever had anything to do with. "Even the man who commits the lowest crime is considered innocent till ho is proved to be guilty, and ho is given a chance to defend himsolf. Such has not been the caso with Mr Moyle. We should send an emphatic protest- to the New Zealand Council through the executive."

"Underhand Worfc." Mr E. J. 'Underwood, a member of the eommitteo, said: "You all know what work Mr Moyle has done. This business, as far as I can hear, is all underhand work from the beginning. I won't mention any names, but the start goes back to throe years ago. Wo should send a letter as strong as possible. I second tho motion. Wo should call a meeting of all League players," he continued—"the real players, •not the ones who played Lcaguo for a season, to settle tho question. Wo take a stop in the right direction),, and try to get fair play. If we get all the players in the League together at a meeting, with Dr. Thackcr in the chair, we could do something." Tho motion was carried unanimously.

Advice to Players. "Don't be carried away by any fine speeches by Dr. Thackcr or anyone else," said Mr Ghick. "You're tho players; you're the chaps who have to win out every time." Mr Chick explained that Mr Moylo was required on tho executive for tho following reasons: "First, because we want a strong representative on the Centre, and, secondly, because they say Mr Moyle won't bo there, and Linwood Club says ho will be there!" Support for Sydenham. The Sydenham League Club wrote forwarding resolutions passed at the meeting held on February 15th. They were to,the effect that the club would not take an active part in tho league competitions until Messrs E. A. Hooper and E. L McJveon had been removed from any position in tho Canterbury League or Board of Control, also stating that the present Board of Control of Monica Park was not in accordance with the constitution and rules, of the Canterbury League, and asking that the League abide by its rules. "They are asking you to endorse their opinion or do the opposite," eaid tho new chairman, Mr Moyle. ; Mr Chick said that he thought the resolution was. a little bit drastic, especially the piece about "going on strike." Still, the Sydenham Club had" had "a very hard whack," and was entitled to sympathy and support. ' Mr P. Kirton: Haven't these men been disqualified F The chairman: Yes.

Mr Underwood: Then, if they are disqualified, T move that we support the Sydenham Club. It is .hard that the players should be held up, though. If those men had the game at heart they would pull, and not cause any more bother. We should endorse Sydenham's resolution, but stipulate that the players should not bo' held up. Two men should not be allowed to break up a game of football played by two hundred.

League Playing Grounds. Mr Chick: These men have not the game at heart. Every time you do anything they make threats to withdraw Monica Park. Mr A. Lee: We can play on other parks. If they want Monica Park,.let them keep it, although we've done our bit for the Park. Still, we are going to play I«aguo football,, whether it be on Linwood Park, Sydenham Park, or even on Canal Reserve. Mr H. Johnston: Can they take Monica Park from us ? The chairman: I don't think so. Mr Underwood: Let tho wo men have Monica Park, It was decided to support the Sydenham Club, but advise it to play football,, and to ask the League to abide by.the constitutional rules.