AWARD OF BLUES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26723, 6 May 1952, Page 10

AWARD OF BLUES

VIEWS OF N.Z. STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 5.

Replying to the statement of Mr D. J. Mulvihill, of Auckland, last night on the award of University Blues, Mr R. S. Milne, president of the. New Zealand University Students’ Association, said to-day that Mr Mulvihill’s state-, ment that it was suggested in 1934 that the Blues Panel should award all Blues was incorrect. It was not until after the war that the Blues Panel system was finally thought out. said Mr Milne. From 1934 to the present time Rugby Blues were awarded on the recommendation of the Rugby Football Council alone. Mr Milne also denied any suggestion that the Students’ Association wished to control the council’s carefully-accumulated funds. Referring to the delay in the award of 1951 Blues, Mr Milne said that since Easter, 1950, the association had been negotiating to have Rugby Blues awarded under the Blues panel system. The Rugby Council refused to allow the panel to meet its selector to discuss nominations, and as the executive of the association was not competent to decide on awards nothing could be done.

Moreover, the council chairman refused to meet panel representatives who were desirous of seeking a basis for agreement. It was unfortunate that because of this disagreement last year’s players had not yet been awarded Blues, but the association sought to provide the best possible system for all university sportsmen. The fundamental issue was, said Mr Milne, what was best for university sport—an over-all equality of standard or liberal awards to all members of New Zealand University teams. The latter would undoubtedly lower the value of a Blue in the public’s eyes, and it was this lowering of standard the panel was designed to rectify and had rectified.