"GRAVE CONCERN" POSITION OF RUGBY REFEREES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 74, 28 March 1914, Page 6

"GRAVE CONCERN" POSITION OF RUGBY REFEREES

DEALINGS WITH UNION. In the annual report of Mr. L. Sievers, secretaiy and treasurer of the Wellington Rugby Referees' Association, to be presented at the annual meeting of the association on Tuesday night, reference is made to the dealings the organisation had during the past season with the Rugby Union, and a general review given of the position. "The position of the association," states the report, "has been causing the officers grave concern, the policy pursued by the Appointment Board of the Rugby Union last season being, in their opinion, detrimental to the best interests of the association. It will be 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 the Management Committee, but were informed that whatever complaints there were in regard to the appointment of referees would have to be made to the Appointment Board, as the committee would not interfere in any way with the workings of that body. In short, the deputation was snubbed by the Management Committee of the Ruby Union, and given to understand that the association was regarded as a subsidiary body to themselves. However, the association thought probably it might 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 the destinies of the association, the deputation received a severe shock. "The chairman of the Appointment Board stated that they had divided the senior referees into three classes, viz. — (1) those qualified to take the principal games, (2) those who were eligible for the other games, and (3) those who would not be 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 decision being arrived at because several meetings had lapsed because there was not a quorum present at the time' appointed for commencing business. "The officers of the association claim that they have the sole right of determining which of its members are qualified to officiate as senior referees, aud the rules provide' the means whereby members can reach this standard. Directly this standard is attained there should be no discrimination made as between referees by the Appointment Board. This is the stand that ha-s always been taken up 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 in 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 ith 6enior 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 the auspices of the Rugby Union. That may be, and is, one 'of our primary objects, bub the active members, like the players, desire to improve their status, and have the desire, after having gone through their preparatory work in the junior grade, 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 ; and, 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 the Appointment Board are not as qualified as the Classification Committee is to determine the standing of the members of the association."