RUGBY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20083, 12 November 1930, Page 16

RUGBY.

EVIL INFLUENCE OF'GATES. MR BAXTER'S PLAIN SPEAKING. (FROlf OUB OWN CORKESPO.S'DE-\'T.) LONDON, October 3. "Astral," who writes on Rugby in the "News-Clironicle," makes the following eomments on the recent Rugby tour in New Zealand:— "The complete history of the tour made by the British team in New Zealand has yet to be written. Some of its phases may never be published, and that is better so perhaps. Undoubtedly the tour has rendered no more useful service than to prove to our cousins down under that the Rugby game can, under the international code, be just as attractive, fast and spectacular as when played under their own amended rules.

"New Zealand is the only one of the great Rugby combines that has strayed from the orthodox path. The changes made in the rules were done so for the object of making the game attractive for the spectators. There you have the evil influence of the 'gate,' an influence which, despite the high-toned protest of authority, is not unknown in our own. country. There is, however, a repentant "quality in the later expression of public opinion in New Zealand. -■

"One paper, on the morning after the Test rubber had been duly. won by New" Zealand, plainly asked its home Union authorities if it was worth while for New Zealand to remain more or less ®\igby outlaws in a game which can provide just as good enjoyment for the player and the spectator, within as without the law. "New Zealand, like the other Dominions, aspires to representation on the International Control Board, and their aspirations are worthy of consideration and respect. Conformity is the stumbling block, however, and Mr James Baxter put the matter very plainly indeed when he told the New Zealanders at Auckland 'that unless you play the game as it is laid down in our country and accept the rules as. they are played there, these aspirations will never be realised.' "