RUGBY CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 148, 20 March 1934, Page 14

RUGBY CONTROL

New Zealand Union Report FORTHCOMING TOURS "During the 1933 season the game has continued to prosper, and I lie high standard of proficiency lias been maintained,” states the forty-second annual report of the New Zealand Rugby Union to be presented at the annual meeting on April 19. Reference to the forthcoming Australian tour is contained in the report, which states: “This is the diamond jubilee year of the New South Wales Rugby Union. Under ordinary circumstances, Australia is due to send a representative team to New Zealand this season, but on account of their jubilee and the difficulty their players would have in securing the necessary leave of absence, following so close upon their tour to South Africa, it was decided to undertake a tour of Australia Instead. The Australian Union will repay the visit in cither 1935 or 1936, as we desire.”

“During tbc year,” the report proceeds, “an invitation was extended by the four Home unions (England. Scotland, Ireland, and Wales), for a visit of a New Zealand representative team to tour Great Britain in 1935. The invitation has been accepted. “It has been suggested that a conference, to be convened by the Rugby Football Union (England), should be held during our team’s visit to Great Britain in 1935, but the matter has not materialised beyond the suggestion to hold the conference. The Australian unions are prepared to co-operate, but no advice has been received from the South African Rugby Board as to their attitude in the matter. “An invitation was extended to the South African Rugby Board for a South African team to tour New Zealand and Australia. Although the cables have announced that the Springboks would undertake the tour in 1937, no official confirmation has been received from the South African Rugby Board. A South' African team would be very welcome, and they are assured of it cordial reception in both New Zealand and Australia.” The report also states that the finances of the union are in a healthy condition: during the past year £259 19/- was paid in subsidies to unions. A school grant amounting to £705 was distributed, and relief camps were again provided with footballs at a cost of £27/17/1. The Prince of Wales Cup match was played at New Plymouth and resulted in a loss of £3Ol/14/5. As a result of the year's working a surplus of £307/1/11 has been transferred to the accumulated fund.