LEAGUE TRANSFERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 128, 3 June 1927, Page 5

LEAGUE TRANSFERS

APPLICATIONS REFUSED

UNDESIRABLE PRECEDENT

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, 2nd June. With but one dissentient, the New Zealand Bugby League Council decider! to-night to refuse the applications of L. Brown and B. Davidson, of the City Club, for transfers to Wigan Club, England. The fear was expressed that to grant the applications would open an avenue for a general exodus of the Dominion's leading players to England, and would convert Now Zealand into a clearing house for Australian players desiring to go Home. "We are here to protect the interests of New Zealand football,, and stop this purchasing of players by one country from another," Mr. A. Ferguson., said. "We have many fine League players in New Zealand, .and we will lose them all if transfors like this are granted. The.two years 1 residential qualification is a good one, and wo must stick to it or rulo it out altogether." Mr. .Ferguson moved that tho transfers be not granted. Mr. K^ Stirling: " Circumstanct-s alter cases, and this is ono of them:" The applicants had done a vast amount for the game in Now-Zealand, remaining loyal to tho New Zealand team and the controlling authority. Why should Brown and Davidson not bo given this chance of a lifetime to make good in a sporting and financial sense in English football? 'Choir present occupations did not afford them much of a living. Mr. W. Murray: ','Other players equally loyal in the past will bo coming to us also." Mr. E. Stallworthy: "It is the chance of a lifetime to deal a great blow for League in New Zealand." Offers from England had iiot been extended to Brown and Davidson alone; that day another loyal member of tho New Zealand team had stai'ed lie too had received an offer and proposed going Home if the present applications created a precedent. '.'lf you grant these applications you cannot hold up others," said Mr. Stallworthy. "English football will have a spotlight on the game in New Zealand ready to snap up our best men. Where then would we be? Back in the cradle of'the game to which we have a duty." The motion was carried, Mr. Stilling alone dissenting.