THE MAORI TEAM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 270, 7 August 1908, Page 4

THE MAORI TEAM.

•; PISPUTE- ; 'WXTH V LEAGUE. ' After it was'announced' that the Maori team, had decided to play no more matches "under tho control of tho New South' Wales Rugby League a Sydney "Evening News" re-' portor interviewed Mr. Boss who inado the following remarks;-—. "Yes, that is; right," ; said Mr.. Boss "the Maori team has been, disbanded. The reason is this: _ Owing to all monoys of the; team being, impounded, owing to tho Jack case,'tho Maori toam appealed-to,the Rugby; League for financial assistarico. The League's reply was that they did not see their way clear ; ,to do as desired.' In fact, they cannot." ■ ' ' •' • "Naturally,". Mr. . Boss. . continued, f'tho Maori team object to play benefit' matches for lawyers,or fav tho Leaguo, wlio have done very well'indeed out of the team's visit.' Tho team feel .it keenly, ana think the League should do something. "Personally, I have used every effort to induce tho Maoris to play, in the. interests of tho game.'" But at the meeting the,vote was unanimous to disband. "However," a new team . will be. formed from-somo of- the members,. with tho assistance of other's' now' in Sydney. This new team will be styled tho Now Zealand Native Team, and they will ondoavour. .to arrhngo matches to b'o played in.; r Sidney and Now Zealand. . ; ' "I want to impress on you,"' said Mr. Boss, "that thcro is-no quarrel nmong the members of'tho Maori team; they aro ahappy, body • indeed. , Tho-dispute is with the League alone." '

j)lr. ..Giitinani-secretary New South Wales RUgby League, whoii ' Bpokea to, said "That

he had his agreement'with the team, and lie would deal with the matter," as per agrec'ment. He, however/allowed tho reporter to tako a copy of a letter received ,it noon to-day, which was as follows"August 1, 100 S. Mr. J. J. Giltinan,—Owing '.to the delay which has taken placo in obtaining money for our'team, tho members this morning decided .to abandon, to-day's match arid all other engagements.—Yours faithfully, (signed).—Pakere, hon. secretary; Albert Asher, manager. Maori team." Mr. V. Trumper, treasurer of the New iSouth. Wales Rugby. League,, who was also present, said, "Our hands are tiedj wo have been served with a copy of injunction (granted by Sir. Justice Simpson), by Messrs. Ash and Maclean, who arc acting .for Mr. Jafck. Under this ' injunction wo cannot advance a penny pieco without making ourselves liable. Neither Mr. Giltinan, Mr. Hoyle (tho president) or myself can advance any money whatever. Mr. Jack's caso has nothing to do with tho League at all. "The nullifying of the matches;" continued Mr. Trumper, "is the Maoris own fault entirely. The Leagije's officials were present and were willing to, carry out their side'of the arrangements. If the matches arranged had been played, I am sure thero would'have been sufficient" to' liave paid anything outstanding, and to' have left a handsome share for ; the Maoris."