ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2110, 30 March 1914, Page 8

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

RUGBY REFEREES.

"SNUBBED" BY RUGBY UNION.

The annual meeting of tbe Wellington Rugby Referees' Association is to be held to-morrow evening. Tho report of the secretary (Mr. L. Sievers) states that during the past year the membership increased by 10, and now stands at 48 active and 23 non-active. "The future of tho association," states the report, "has been causing tho officers grave concern, the policy pursued by tho Appointment Board of the Rugby Union last season being, in their opinion, detrimental to tho best interests of the association. It will bo remembered that during last season a deputation from the association waited on the Rugby Union. They were politely received by the chairman and other members of tho Management Committee, but were informed that whatever complaints thero were in regard to the appointment of referees would have to bo raado to tho Appointment Board, as the committee would not interfere iu any way with the workings of that body. In short, tho deputation -was snubbed by the Management Committeo of the Rugby Union, and given to understand that the association was regarded as a subsidiary body to themselves. However, the association, thought probably it receive some satisfaction from the Appointment Board, and the deputation was accordingly sent forward to that.body. After detailing various things which would tend to the better- working out of tho destinies of tho association, the deputation received a severe shock. The chairman of the Appointment Board stated tbat they had divided the senior referees into three classes, viz.: (1) those qualified to take the principal games, (2) those who woro eligible for tho'other games, and (3) thoso who would not bo appointed to senior games' at all. "The report of the deputation, when brought forward, was severely criticised by members, but it -was ultimately decided to carry on for the balance of the season. But, as a result of this determination of the Appointment Board, interest in the meetings of the association began to lapse, and in the end it was decided to discontinue meetings long before the usual time, that decisiou being arrived at because several meetings had lapsed because there was not a quorum present at tho time appointed for commencing business. Tho officers of the association claim that they, have tho sole-right of determining which of its members are qualified to officiate as senior referees, and tho rules provide the means whereby members can reach this . standard. Directly this standard is attained thero should .bo no discrimination made as between the senior referees by the Appointment Board. This is tho stand that has always been taken vip by the association, and. unless it is accepted by the Rugby Union the main purpose of- our meeting together is defeated. What is the use of the association educating its members both iu theory of the rules of Rugby and in practical expositions of refereeing on the field if, when they reach the high standard set by the association for its senior referees, the Appointment Board (through its chairman) can declare that such and such a referee is not eligible for senior matches?- It is preposterous on- the face of it, and cannot be allowed to continue if the association is to fulfil its destiny. Surely we are not banded together purely and simply to act as referees in the matches held under tho auspices of tho- Rugby Union. That n.ay bo, and is, one of our primary objects, but the active irierabdrs, like the players, desire to improve their status, and havo the desire, after having gone through their peparatory work m the junior grades, to have a, fair share of senior and representative games when they have been declared to be eligible for senior matches by the Classification Committee- of the association; aifd, as, the' policy of the Appointment Board is in the opposite direction, the officers of the. association claim that they have the right.to make their protest, mainly because the members of tho Appointment Board are r.ot as qualified as the Classification Committee is to determine the standing of tha members of the association." ■ •■ ■