League RAIDS FOR PLAYERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29673, 17 November 1961, Page 17

League RAIDS FOR PLAYERS

N.Z. Official’s Views (HZ. Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 16. Raids on New Zealand Rugby for the services of leading players might come after the breakdown of negotiations between the English and Australian Rugby Leagues over the projected tour of Australia and New Zealand by an English league teem next year. When an announcement was made in Sydney by the chairman of the Australian League (Mr W. Buckley) that “the tour is now off.” the “Yorkshire Post” reported that “in the heat of the moment some club officials in Britain are talking of the possibility of lifting the transfer ban as a reprisal." The ban was described by Mr J. E. Knowling, secretary of the New Zealand League, as "the transfer restriction.” It Is an agreement between England and Australia and between England and New Zealand, which prevents British league clubs from bidding for the services of Australian and New Zealand League and Rugby players. “The restriction,” said Mr Knowling. "totally prohibits English League clubs from raiding New Zealand Rugby as they have raided South African Rugby in the last few years. An effect is that New Zealand League is protecting New Zealand Rugby players. “If, as reported, English League clubs are so disturbed over the breakdown of negotiations with Australia that they are willing to seek reprisals, it would be competent for the English League unilaterally to void the agreement. "But I have too much faith in the good faith of English League to believe that it would be capable of taking the drastic action suggested by the ‘Yorkshire Post.’”