A TRUCE DECLARED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 302, 15 September 1921, Page 8

A TRUCE DECLARED

DIFFERENCES AMONG RUGBY OFFICIALS \ PRESIDENT’S ATTITUDE EXPLAINED Further light has been thrown on the controversy which arose, over the nonappointment of the president of the N.Z. Rugby Union (Mr. J. M'Leod) as a delegate to the conference with tho South African and New South AVales teams regarding tho rules of the game. Mr. M'Lcod took umbrage at the attitude of the New Zealand Union, but' from correspondence read at this week s meeting of the management committee of the union, it would appear that tho trouble l.as been adjusted i'or the time being. Replying on September 7 to Air. M’Leod’s telegram (reading as follows:— "Cannot accept your offer, and propose resigning immediately presidency unless decision altered. Am advising principal unions by wire.”), the secretary of the Now Zealand Union Ipaid that Air. M'Leod must bo under some misconception as' to tho duties pertaining io the office of president. “I am therefore directed, to qxplain,” continued the Idt--ter, "that raj- committee, in appointing Messrs. Slade, Frost, and Howe to meet representatives of tho New South Wales and South African Unions in conference, was influenced by the fact that these gentlemen named had been appointed to journey to 4 Sydnej- for a similar purpose last year, and' naturally should therefore be .more conversant with the issues -in question that anyone else. Moreover, tho functions and the responsibility of such n conference lie with my committee as the executive of this union (vide rules 21 and 22 of N Z.R.F.U. rules), and not with (the president. ”. . - Hitherto the presidency of this union has been considered an honorary position, and the president has never attempted to dictate, or even to lead, in executive matters, the responsibility for which is clearly cast upon the committee by the rules of the union. My committee trust that you will give this matter more earnest consideration, and that £ou will recognise .that the course proposed by you, if persisted in, can only lead to unpleasantness, and will belittle the honourable position of prest dent.”

Mr. M'LeodJn Reply. . Writing in reply on September 8, Mr. M'JLeod said that his view had not altered, and the fact that his resignation was not in the hands of the council was entirely owing* to the fact that unions had urged him not do so. Ho was not under the slightest misconception as to his duties. ‘‘l have not on any single occasion interfered or obtruded myself in any. matter of management or of the functions of the management committee,” continued Mr. M'JLeod, "although such advice and assistance as I have been able to afford has always been cheerfully given, and, so far as I know, accepted in the same spirit. It is, therefore, presumptuous of your committee to infer that I 'liave considered the office of president other than an honorary one, that I have attempted to dictate or oven to lead in executive matters.’ . The insinuation is unjust, in no single instance can it be substantiated, and 1 resent it being made. At the same time, however, I differ entirely from your committee’s view that it is not within the function of the president to offer a. lead and to use what influence ho might possess in advancing his views to the committee on either executive or policy matters. It matters not to me that the activities' of past presidents, as you infer, may have been passive. . M.y association in our game is active, and I am only expressing, a fact when I say that I am more closely in touch continuously with the majority of tho executives of the unions of New Zealand than any other individual. And do my mind that is not other than it should be, as it enables an official who is not entrammolled by. the detail and responsibility of office and' management to exercise an influence with the many unions (if that influence is tactfully exerted) that is of far more help to the management committee, with its manifold worries, than the management committee appears to realise. I have used .my office in that direction unobtrusively and ’without fuss on innumerable occasions already this season, and shall continue to do so so long as I feel, any experience and knowledge I may possess are of any assistance in smoothing away difficulties and misunderstandings in our Rugby world.”

A Temporary Truce.

Zrouchiug t#n another point, Mr. M’‘Leod continued:—-‘Let me assure you that I have no personal feeling in this matter; I consider that your management committee iailed ini its appreciation of the service I could have rendcri ed to New Zealand on this conference, and in saying so I know that I have behind mo the confidence of tho great majority of tho unions of New Zealand, and I would have felt myself weakkneed indeed had I not immediately Registered my opinion. So far as lam concerned, therefore, the incident is fol the time being closed, and, as I have said, there is no feeling behind my protest. I shall consider what action I shall take after talking the matter over with you next week in Wellington. Meantime it is better that the difference be forgotten during the next few days, so that we may all concentrate our efforts on the encouragement of our team to herculean accomplishment and the winning of the worlds Rugby supremacy on September 17. ’ This letter was acknowledged on September 9 by the secretary, who said: "I have been directed to make it clear that you are entitled to be as a witness of tho proceedings, both as president and as an official of tho laranaki Rugby Union, but that, as this union’s delegation is limited to three, you uill have no right to take part in the do-, liberations." It was moved and seconded that Air. M'Lcod’s letter bo received After some discussion the motion to receive the letter was carried, tho hope being expressed tliat the whole matter would bo cleared', up on Mr. M'Lcod s arrival in Wellington. Letters of protest from various unions were formally roeeivej.