ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 186, 4 May 1929, Page 12

ASSOCIATION

DELEGATES’ ANNUAL MEETING NO AUSTRALIAN TOUR HOPES FOR SCHOOLBOY TEAM The annual meeting of the New Zealand Football Association was held last night, Mr. A. E. Wells presiding. Others present were: Messrs. F. Campbell, J. A. llvder, 11. Renal, J. A. Milburn, H. L. Godber, A. Varney, W. G. Bryce,' B. L. Salmon, E. F. Kain, W. L. Wilson, M. J. Hayward, F. Sanders, W. Robertson (Westland), H. I. Graves (hon. treasurer), and A. Williams (secretary). The chairman, in briefly referring to the report, said the past year had been far from what they would have liked it to have been, but they "all had hoped that the new year would be the dawn of brighter things. Mr. F. Campbell, in moving the adoption of the annual report, said the game was making slow but steady progress. The question of overseas visits would be discussed later, but in considering this they must have regard to finance. Several associations were not financial, and as the council was in debit he hoped something would be done to alter that state of affairs. Reference was made to the very few suspensions, and credit attributed to the referees in connection therewith. Soccer was very fortunate in getting Mr. Al. Williams to step into the breach caused by the death of Mr. Atkinson. Mr. Bryce seconded. Mr. M. J. Hayward expressed regret that Auckland and Canterbury delegates were not present, and said that there were only three present who were not members of the New Zealand Council. He was very disappointed, for he had thought far greater progress would have been made. The game had been going in New Zealand for 38 years, and where were they? Bankrupt. He could congratulate them upon the number of school teams, and hoped they would still further increase. Regarding the F.A. trophy, it was well worth fighting for, but there did not seem to be sufficient enthusiasm at the back of the various trophies. In regard to the Chatham Cup they ultimately had to give the clubs a share in the gate. Considering the number of senior teams in the Dominion an entry of 25 teams was' very poor, and in the South Island the entries were very poor indeed. He thought 25 per cent, of the" net gate should go to the teams which had to travel. Patone had to find £lOO to go to Auckland, and could they expect any club to do it? Was it worth it?

Mr. Campbell: Certainly. Mr. Hayward added that he was sure more clubs would take interest in die cup if there was some chance of getting something towards the expenses. With regard to the visit of an Australian team he hoped it would not eventuate this year. He would rather see them all pulling together with a view to getting a team from the Old Country, for he was sure it would pay them well. They must have a team from Great Britain, no matter what it cost, and as soon as possible. He thought they might approach His Excellency the Governor-General, who would be returning to the Old Country before long, to use his influence on behalf of the game in New Zealand. His Excellency would be a splendid ambassador, and he believed others would render similar help. The Game More Popular. Mr. Hyder contended that In spite of the financial results, Soccer was more popular, especially with the boys, than ever before. Some of the smaller associations had difficulty in raising funds because they lacked grounds where gates could be obtained. We lacked first-class players at present, and a visit from an English team would make some of them into first-class players. Australia was hoping to get a visit from a Scottish team next year, and he hoped the council would look into this matter. He hoped June 3 would be set aside for a match. North v. South Island every year, and give the selectors an opportunity of seeing some of their best players in action, with a view to selecting a representative team if necessary. The players in such games should receive caps or other recognition' „ ... _ .. Need For British Visit.

The entries for the Chatham Cup were very satisfactory, thought Mr. Varney, although he agreed that something might be done to make it more popular. Hie difficulty was with grounds, and until associations had their own grounds, it

would be very hard to maße much profit from the competitions. There was great keennes); in the Chatham Cup. The council had circularised all Soccer playing countries with regard to overseas tours, and had done their utmost to bring about a visit from a Scottish team. Mr. Livingstone, of the British bowling team, agreed to do his utmost to help them to that end, the New Zealand Council to pay travelling expenses and travelling and hotels in New Zealand. Such a visit woul<J_. cost £19,000 unless they could get financial help in other directions. It had been suggested that it might be passible to get the Corinthians out here, and it they could secure the interest ’of some gentlemen of leisure it might be possible. He thought they should get some assistance from the English Football Association to release some plqyers ror a visit to New Zealand. Auckland’s Charges. Mr. B. L. Salmon referred to the fact that Auckland took about £45 for every representative match up there for ground charges, which was a big handicap. Regarding football in schools a great many schoolmasters said “Hands off!” and that was what they were up against. He was sorry the English team did not come here from Australia, but New Zealand could not face the heavy cost. It was a matter for congratulation that they had secondary school competitions in Auckland and Wellington. Mr. Robertson thought the Auckland Association should make a substantial reduction in the ground charges, even if the., did not remit ground charges for one season to help the parent body. He would like to see a strong team sent to the West Coast, where good progress was being made. There were 12 school teams at Westland, and he was satisfied that in time they would see the game go ahead by leaps and bounds. Not Down and Out. Mr. Campbell replied that the association was not bankrupt, as Mr. Hayward had said. A bankrupt was down and out, and the New Zealand Football Association was a long way from down and out, although short of money. Regarding the expenses of clubs in the cup games, the rules made provision for the clubs if they c-uld only get the gates. He thought the clubs which had appeared in the final thought the honour was worth the cost. The clubs should raise funds towards their travelling expenses, and not expect to be spoon-fed. There would be more entries than ever this year in the Chatham Cup, showing its increasing popularity. The report was adopted. Finance. Mr. Graves moved the adoption of the balance-sheet, and said the council had had to cut down expenses,' and although the” had a bank overdraft he was not disheartened, for he believed they would pull round and make good headway. Well over £lOO had been wiped off the overdraft, thanks to the help given by some of the associations. They had been up against it, but Australia had had difficulties over all its tours. While he would not be their treasurer, he believed the association would be financial in the next two or three months. Mr. Campbell replied that since he had been on the council they had paid out £25,000 for tours, and in establishthe F.A. trophy and other competitions, and only now were they asking the associations to assist them in wiping out the overdraft of little over £2OO. Mr. Hyder thought players had been too much spoon fed, and he thought this country was rather given that way. He advocated a levy on players, adding that Auckland Association said they could collect a levy of Is. per player down to the fourth grade. Mr. Wilson said what was lacking was the comparison of the balance-sheet with that of the preceding year. Mr. Graves expressed the council’s appreciation of the assistance given by Wellington in the last three years, saying Wellington had already paid its fees for this year, and given them £3O in addition. (Hear, hear.) The balance-sheet was adopted. Australian Tour. The replies of the various associations regarding a tour of New Zealand by an Australian team were reported, and Mr. Campbell contended that there was not enough enthusiasm for it. To send a team to Australia would require a guarantee of £lO per man. This was a matter for the associations if they would finance it. Mr. Hyder supported sending a team in order to. reopen the games with Australia again. Mr. Salmon said he did not think there was anything to gain from sending a team to Australia this season, and Mr. Hayward agreed, saying New Zealand should put its own house in order first. He~moved that no team be received from overseas, and that no New Zealand team be sent overseas this season. Mr. Hyder said Auckland Association was prepared to organise a visit of a primary school team to Australia, representing the North Island, or from Auckland Association. Mr. Hayward agreed that a school team should go to Australia, and said such a visit would stimulate the game in the schools in New Zealand. Mr. Hyder moved that the offer of Auckland be accepted, provided it was thrown open to New Zealand. This was generally supported. The president thought Auckland should consult the other associations first, and the council should be careful before allowing one association to organise a tour of this kind. , • Mr. Godber agreed that the North and South Island Schools’ Associations should go into the matter first, and moved accordinnly. and this course was adopted. Mr. Kane (South Canterbury) moved that the Australian tour be confined to the North Island. Mr. Hyder (Auckland) said his association agreed that a North Island tour might be run, as the South Island was always a source of loss. Mr. Hayward (Wellington) retorted that their' duty was to foster the game throughout the Dominion. . Mr. Campbell said he did not think the tour would take place in either island. The remit was defeated. Uniform Rules.

An Otago remit that a committee be set up to draft a uniform set of rules for all affiliated associations throughout New Zealand was discussed, and Mr. Campbell said that while it was all right in theory, in practice it could not be done, but they might submit model rules for the associations to work upon, so that they might be made as uniform as possible. , Mr. Godber said local adjustments could be made as required, otherwise tli€ proposal was a good one. Mr. Hayward stated that Wellington Association considered it would be unworkable. He urged the necessity of referees having a uniform set of rules upon which they based their decisions. The remit was lost. It was that the council be instructed to set up a committee to peruse the rules of all affiliated associations and report thereon. English Trophy Matches. A late remit was received from Otago “That the English trophy matches be reinstated as formerly and that the home associations arrange for the billeting of plavers to eliminate expenses. 1 hat it be a recommendation that no entertainment expenses be allowed to associations in connection with the Football Association trophy matches.” Mr. Hyder moved that the matter be referred to the incoming council for the Competitions Committee to report upon. This was agreed to. It was decided to make a further appeal for support. South Auckland promised to make a levy of Is. per member with a minimum of £3O, and M estland delegate said his association would contribute £lO. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, His Excellency the Gover-nor-General; president, Sir Charles Statham; vice-presidents, re-elected, with addition of Mr. W. Robertson and Mr. W. Duncan : honorary treasurer, Mr. W. L Wilson. The council was re-elected as follows: Messrs. A. Varney. F. Sanders. H. L. Godber. A. J. Hyder, J. A. Milburn, H. Renai, W. G. Bryce, B. L. Salmon, F. Campbell; representation to English Football Association, left open; in Canada. Mr. H. N. Holmes; Australia, Mr. R. Carlyle; honorary auditor, Mr. N. G. McFarland.