RUGBY RULES

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 17, 22 July 1921, Page 3

RUGBY RULES

ARTICLES IN ENGLISH PRESS

(moM out own uor.p.tarosDiNi.; \ LONDON, 2nd June. )

With the appointment of Mr. C. J. Wray as New Zealand representative on the committee o£ the English Kugby Onion and the consequent publicity, nowbeing given to the Dominion's attitude in Hugby matters, two articles ou-tiug-by .football in New Zealand—one in. the Vorkshiro Post and lthe other in the Manchester Guardian—come at an opportune time. These are from special correspondents in Wellington, and set out the position clearly. There is doubtless need for a proper exposition of the views held byl the New Zealand Union, as misconception on tljis side is likely to do. harm to the interests of the game. , Referring to the concessions recently granted to the New Zealand Union in the matter of rules, the correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says: "The concessions were accepted mainly on the assumption that New Zealand had been given representation on the International Board, which alone has)power to deal with tjhe laws of the game. Even though that proves to be a myth, it is not likely, that any active steps will be taken by the New Zealand Rugby Union in the direction of secession this season. For one thing/a South African team of Rugby players is coming here in a few weeks to play under the orthodox rules of the game, and unquestionably the whole situation will be discussed with the South. African representatives with a view to joint action. Mr. GJ. W. Slade holds the opinion that something has. been gained which is sufficient to preclude- the necessity of drastic measures. At the same time, he has declared that New Zealand's status is far below what its performance's in football merit. He regards the.English. Rugby Union as unprogressive and stifling. ; The International Board, ,he, thinks, should be superseded by an International Council with representatives from all countries where Rugby is played—France, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, as .well as England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. While Mr. Sladq is moderate in his views, many of the provincial unions are decidedly more pronounced in their attitude, and the whole situation is sure to bo warmly discussed at the annual, meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Union."

"Withthe approach of the 1921 football season in New Zealand," says the correspondent of' the Yorkshire Post, '.'there is no appearance of any determined move on the part of the governing body in the direction of introducing new laws of the game. Tbe agitation of last season has subsided, and' in its place there is a fairly general desire to avoid a breach of relationship between this Dominion and England, by carrying on with the concessions made by the International Board.'? *

The writer goes on to quote Mr. G.. W. Sla'de, chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, who, he states, expressed the "opinion "that; what had .been achieved wag a step nearer to the, goal for which New Zealand had been striving for many years, and while there still remained a great deal to fight for, he regarded the results to dato as *ufhcient to carry on in the meantime without resorting to any drastic action. At the same time, he was fully convinced that New Zealand's status was far below that to which this country (New Zealand), with its high position in the Rugby world, was entitled, and not until the Dominion was given a direct interest in the main control of the game would the desired end be attained. In the light of what hah j happened recently, Mr. Slade still-holds that the English Rugby Union is not progressive. Rugby, as found in the Old Country at the present time, was stifling football. It was not encouraged in anything like the same manner as in New Zealand. There was no effort to march with the times, and to put the position briefly, that which was good enough twenty ye.ara ago will not meet the demands to-day. We will still fight for better representation. At ' tho present tlmu we) are ' tail-wafers f°r the dog'; but New Zealand leads foot.ball, and wants to be one of the heads. We now have this, satisfaction, that wo have succeeded in waking up the English' Union tt the needs of the colonies."