LEAGUE SPLIT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18678, 29 April 1926, Page 9

LEAGUE SPLIT.

COUNCIL DEFIED. MR MOYLE'S CASE. AN EDICT DISREGARDED. An important step was taken "by the Canterbury Rugby League last evening, when it carried a resolution which, in effect, expressed its determination to disregard the edict of the N.Z. Oouncil requiring it to accept the resignation of Mr W. S. E. Moyle (ex-secretary) from all offices. The resolution was carried bv a large majority, after a prolonged discussion.

Mr T. R. Carpenter occupied the chair. Other delegates present were Messrs W. Cole, T. Kirton, E. lloaloy, W. S. E. Moyle, L. Co;:, A. Russell, F. Smyth, J. Kettle, W. llealcv, J. O'Shaughueesv, E. L. MeKeon, H, W. Lawrence, A. Davis, J. T'nderwood, AY. Main, C. Allen, P. Kirton, Bovne, H. Garrard, W. English, ,T. McQuillan, E. Jones, «T. Power, J. Young, and F. Lloyd. A letter from tho Xew Zealand Council was as follows: I am in receipt of yours under date April 20th,/ enclosing correspondence from the Canterbury Rugby League Board of Control, and one from Mr E. G. McCullough. Tho subject matter of the letter was discussed at length by the delegates at tho annual meeting whereat both Messrs Moyle and MeKeon were present. The discussion that ensued with regard to tho correspondence and the proposed agreement between tho Canterbury League and tho Board of Control brought up again tho qucstiou of the suitability of a person of Mr Moyle's temperament taking an active part tn League affairs in Canterbury. Finally the following rosolutlon was moved by Mr E. L. MeKeon, Timuru delegate, seconded by Mr Geo. Ponder, South Auckland, and carried by a majority of 10 votes to 2:—That this Council of the New Zealand League, while recognising tho services of Mr W. S. E. Moyle, of the Canterbury League Centre, are of the opinion that tho time lmß arrived when, in the best interests of the code, he Should sever hiß connexion with League football, and that Mr Moyle be asked to hand in his resignation forthwith to the New Zealand Rugby League Council. With respect to tho proposed agreement ub between tho Monica Park Board of Control and the Canterbury League forwarded by you to this body for approval, I have to ndvise you that same waß approved, with addition to the last clause dealing ' with future troubles being submitted to a committee of three members of the Board, the president to presid«. Add: The president 'b power of voting to be in accordance with Rule 7 of the constitution of the Neto Zealand Rugby League. —Yours faithfully, B J WO. CARLAW, Hon. Secretary. Acting under Instructions from the Council of Management of tho New Zealand Rugby Football League, the secretary of that body made formal application for Mr Moyle's resignation.

Open to tbo Press. At the outset there was a difference* of opinion as to whether the matter should be open to the £ r ® ss *. lter Mr ltussell moved that the matter be discussed in open meeting. . Mr' Allen, who seconded the lesoiu tion, said it wns time they stopped going into committee. They had no need to hide under the table, Mr T Kirton stud the person concerned was being pulled to pieces m the newspapers, and if they went into committee the public would get the ttpression that he had done B ° m wrong. "We hare nothing to nide, "Everything ha* been done cleanly and above board, and everything we shall do will be the same. If it isn't, we should get out. Mr Jones said have been in committee from the start, but since all they had done hafl been in open meeting, thero was nothing left for them but to thrtSli the matter out in public. . It was decided by a large majority not to go into committee. A Delegate's Standing. *■ Mr J. O'Shaughnessy moved that the letter be received. _ Mr T. Kirton said he had been present at a conference with the poard of Control, when the members ofithwi talked about wiping the slate clean for the good of the gamo. When one of the League delegates asked the question whether the Board would let bvgones bo bygones as far as Mr Movie was concerned, there was no reply. Evidently they had something up their feleeves. Mr Kirton characterised the action of the Council as "dirt, absolute filth."

"Definitely Suspended." The chairman said that morning ho had telegraphed to the Council, asuing if Mr Moyle was definitely suspended, or if it was with the confirmation of the Canterbury League, and if Mr Moylo could vote on conference matters, ino reply, which was from Mr J. Garlaw (president), stated that Mr Moyle had been definitely suspended, ana had no vote in League matters. Mr Allen said the reply was an insuit to every League player. Mr O'Shaughnessy read the rule relating to disqualification for miscondlMr T. Kirton: What misconduct has been proved against Mr Movie P Mr Allen: The Council delegates must bo a hare-brained jot ■ of old women, taking notice of individuals. Not a scrap of evidence that Mr Moyle had done anv wrong had been advanced. The Council*had told the League whom it should not employ ub secretary, and now it is telling the players whom they should have as delegates. "It's a disgrace," he concluded. - Mr Power: Who aro we, have we no power? I don't know much about Mr Moyle. but he is apparently the scapegoat of everrbody Ho may be called the father of the came in Canterbury. Why is Mr Moyle held up, and what lias ho done?

A Besolution. Mr W. Healey then moved: "That this Centre advise the New Zealand Council that when it is thought fit and proper to disqualify a member or player, it will do bo, and notify the Council through its delegates." lie Baid that Mr Moyle had been disqualified on a resolution moved by the delegate of another Centre. "What if we turned tound and asked the Council to order Otago to kick out Diverß, and what would Otago say?" be asked. Mr Moyle rose to aecond the motion, but the chairman said he had no right well, to save time, I will second it," said Mr T Kirton. He said thev controlled the delegates- not the Board. "God knows where we will finish up, if we go on like this," ho concluded. , • . Mr Carpenter: An) I to take it that the motion is that the League refuses t < abide bv the Council's ruling^ Mr Healey: Certainly; that a iti Mr O'Shaughneesy supported the iaa»

speaker. If they refused to obey tb* Council, they would have a pretty kettle of tish. "Goodness knows where it would end," hj% said. The players were the main consideration. They *fß> all wondering whnt would happen. Tuor« was only one way of witling it, and the Council had uUten that «ay. If they rejected its decision, that «aa tantamount to denving its jurisdiction. The (\>uncil could then call on the players to form a new Centre, lie moved an amendment: "That this Oentrw accept tho decision of the Council regarding tho suspension of Mr Moyle." Mr F. Smyth seconded the amend - nient. Mr Allen: In order to get back into calmer waters wo must crush an innocent man. Wo must adhere to the supreme body. Nit it must be in the right. The chairman: That is not for its to say. "Stories of Individuals." Mr Allen: 1 beg to differ. The Oouncil acted not on the information of this Centre, but on the stories of individuals. If the delegates roted for the amendment, their Clubs would be justided in kicking them out, and if it wan carried, lie was tiuished with the gave. .Mr Winter Colo said he eoold not understand why Mr Moyle> was not allowed to speak. "Is & b. d. at the bottom of the Council's decisiont" he asked. Voices: Absolutely.

Mr Cole said it was a pity if tho future of the gamo was to be jeopardised because two or three members could not see eye to eye with the manner in which another spoke his mind, lie could not give his vote oatil he hoard why tho Council had suspended Mr Moyle. It was against his mse oi fair play. Mr Moyle Speaks. Mr Moyle was unanimously given permission to leport on the conference, lie said that some of the words awd when Mr Ilea ley's election as life member was opposed wore scurrilous and scandalous. Tho question of his disqualification had been based on whether his humble servicx* war® worth as much as another person's money. Tkc Council had takon two nights to arrive at its decision. He saw now that he had made a mistake in resigning the secretaryship when the demand came from Auckland. Members of tho Auckland League had told him not to resign. He had been accused of failing to hand over money in the bank, of deliberately wasting money, of drawing money to which he was not entitled, withholding correspondence, not sending authorised correspondence, and doing things on his own initiative. Other accusations were that ho had not given a correct report and balance-sheet. "I'm disgusted with the whole thing!" declared Mr Mbyle. He would not pull out because his friends had urged ni» not to. He was not saying a word against Mr McCullough, because ho thought the latter had been prompted. Otherwise be would sooner low £1(K» than do anything so teurrilous. "I could tell yon volumes, but it siekens me, M concluded Mr Moyle. Mr P. Kirton said the playew In tho Linwood Club had every confidence In Mr Moyle. . . „ * Mi H. W. Lawrence said he believed that tho Board was holding the whip over the head of an innocent man. He had been judged on the accusations of men who could not, and had not, substantiated thoir statements. If it going to bo tho question of pounds, shillings, and pence, let them have Mviiica Parkland the gamo would go on just the same. There were plenty of grounds in Chrlstchurch. Mr Smyth Baid Mr Moyle had been licensed of dishonesty by the Council. Statements had also been made that he had withheld correspondence. The issue was being blinded. The Couneil had decided by ten votes to two that Mr Moylo was guilty.

If Auckland and Canterbury Stick TogetherMr C. Derrott said that if Auckland and Canterbury stuck together, the Zealand Comieil would not put thorn oot, but they would put it out. Mr W. Healey said the League eould obtain tho money to clear Monica Park in Dunodin, but the Board did not want it. . Mr Cole said they must obey the Oounoil, bat should ester * strong protest. Mr Jones said they mutt sot aa*riflie the game tor the sake of any mas, aid lie supported Mr Got*. The chairman said they would be eoasidering the good of tho HUM if they obeyed the Couacil's odiet. The amendment was loot by a Tory large majority. An amendment was stored that -the matter bo referred back to tho OouaeiL This was' seconded, but Tory few voted for it. The chairman totaled to aeupt a farther amendment by Mr Smyth that Mr Moyle be asked to aeeode to tho Council's request, and that a filiated bodies be asked for their opinion, tho League to act on this. The motion «ras then put and carried by a large majority. Ofeainnan Xeaigas. Mr Carpenter then announced his resignation as chairman. He said he was sorry to take aueh a atop, tfat his dignity demanded it. Mr O'Shangbnesty aaked him to reconsider his decision, is tho iatorato of tho code. He was supported by Mr Cole, who said he could not Mo they were flouting the OonnelL Mr Carpenter was adamant, and left the room, Mr Oole taking tho ehair for tho remainder of tho mooting.