THE BRITISH RUGBY TOUR.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19888, 27 March 1930, Page 13

THE BRITISH RUGBY TOUR.

• TO THE EDITOIt OF THE PRESS. yir,-7-D.uri»g the forthcoming tour of the British Rugby most followers of the 'gained—and who ir. New Zealand is nut a follower?—had counted on set'ug matches played anywhere, near their own homes and on listening' to a description of sonie of the others' through the medium of radio. The; Canterbury Rugby Union has instructed Hs delegates to the conference, 1 believe, to vote against the broadcasting of these matches. Surely this action is. not justified. The whole, of the Dominion will want to listen to the description of the Test matches. Memters of. the Rugby Union are reported to have said that the Broadcasting Company should pay. for these' broadcasts: also that some cf the gate receipts will suffer if broadcasting is allowed*. Has our national, •game become a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence? Why. cannot our officials take a. broader vision and realise that it is not a matter between them and the Broadcasting Company but between them and the public of New Zealand? Not onlv has the public always supported Ttujrhv. but it has produced the players which make these matches possible; and. now w;e find a few men dictating to this public what thev sliall.see and hear, and doiniT so in the name oF sport, amateur: sport. It is to he hoped that this foolish decision will,' be reconsidered: for. there are hundreds; of peopje livjng in the country who rrnve not a "host' of a chance of ; attending any of. the matches. Tn other countries frames such as theso are freelv broadcaster] and Inst vear we had the rJeasnre of listening to descriptions "f the matches plnved in Australfa ny the All TClacks. It is not necessary that the Canterbury Rmrbv Union produce a financial ; wizard amonor it"s members to make the ] trtur "a success; -The frame.' hold?- such " place.in the hearts r>f New 7e*l"r;der* this,success fs already srunrfin : tee<l. I The man who'says we would rather < listen to a descriiTtion of a mntch than go to see it- fs a fool.—Yours. ■ etc..: I COMMDNSENSE. I March 26th, 1930.