RUGBY CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 13

RUGBY CONFERENCE

Unions Invited To Vote On Wartime Suspension BIG EXPENSE INVOLVED The advisability of suspending the annual conference of the New Zealand Rugby Union during wartime because of Hie need to conserve funds and becuusc of the expense involved in such a meeting was discussed at yesterday s meeting of the executive council of the union, when it was decided to ask Rugby football unions throughout New Zealand whether they were agreeable to such suspension, or whether they would agree to the conference being attended by one delegate only from each union, the expenses involved to be met by the respective unions. The various unions are to be asked to forward their views on the matter not later than April 2. In the meantime, the tentative date of the annual conference was fixed at May 1 next. . “In the present circumstances it seems to be a big expense bringing delegates to the annual conference,” said Mr. J. Prendeville. “It .seems to me that we could carry on without a conference and carry out the election of officers by means of a postal ballot. During tlie last war the annual conferences were held, but I would like to point out that in those days there were fewer unions and fewer delegates, whereas today there are about SO delegates.” The total cost of sending delegates to the conference and the other incidentals incurred would probably amount to about £5OO, said the chairman, Mr. S. S. Dean, who favoured seeking an expression of opinion from the various unions. Mr. D. M. Spedding thought it desirable to hold the conference if possible. Football was likely to be “in the doldrums” during the coming year because of the war, and he felt that I he New Zealand Rugby Union ought to de all in its power ro help the game along. He suggested that the New Zealand Rugby Union should pay half the cost of sending delegates, the respective unions to pay the other half. The chairman: I have been on this union for 21 or 22 years now, and this \hns been, 1 think, the easiest year we have ever had. There has been less biminoss to deal with than in all my < x periom-e. There lias been simply nothing vitally important to discuss.