"THE BIG STICK"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 130, 28 November 1929, Page 10

"THE BIG STICK"

STIR IN RUGBY CAMP

STATUS OF DOMINIONS'

TALK OF A "DRIFT"

The attitude taken up by the International Rugby Football Board in dealing with the claims of the overseas Dominions for an improved status has come- in for severe criticism, and there is likely to be more of it as a result of the terras of a resolution passed by the board this year. Some time ago the New Zealand Eugby Union proposed that a conference of Eugby delegates from various countries be held here during the visit of the British Bugby team next year, one of the matters for consideration to be the setting up of an Imperial Eugby Board. The conference proposal was brought to the notice of the board through the English Eugby Union, with which New Zealand is affiliated. The board's opinion on the matter has now been made known, and it has given the New Zealand Eugby Union further cause for dissatisfaction. It amounts to all Dominions' having to revert back to International Board rules if they expect to receive any consideration. But New Zealand is not likely to treat this latest development lightly. "If the International Board is going to hold the big stick over us do not think we are going to lay down to it," remarked Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of' the New Zealand Eugby Union, at last night's meeting of the Management Committee. BOAED' S EESOLUTION. The following letter conveying the board's resolution was received from the English Eugby Union's secretary: "At a meeting of the Eugby Football Union Committee on the 4th October, 1929, my committee received the report of our International Board representatives regarding a resolution adopted by the board last March. It appears some misunderstanding arose regarding the communication being sent to the Dominion unions. lam therefore now directed by my committee to forward the board's resolution to you, which reads as follows:— As a condition precedent to the consideration of the creation of a consultive body under the supreme control of this board, all Dominion unions should agree to adopt the Laws of the Game as framed by the International Board. "Will you please let me know whether your union are prepared to accept this Resolution, which, as previously stated, my committee recommend." "A DISTINCT SNTJB.", The New Zealand Eugby Union had advised tho English Union previously that it was felt strongly in New Zealand that the decisions of the International Board were a distinct snub to the overseas Dominions. At the same time appreciation was expressed of the efforts made by members of the English Kugby Union, in support of the Dominions' cause, and it was pointed out that tho New Zealand Union was confident that the administrators of the game in England had the welfare of Eugby in the overseas Dominions at heart. Experience had proved, it was stated, that conferences whose recommendations wore ignored were not only valueless but a waste of time. The New Zealand Union was firmly of the opinion that the only solution waa the establishment of an Imperial Eugby Board with the overseas unions having direct representation, and that some method of financing the' expenses of delegates attending the board should be formulated. The meetings of the board, it was thought, should be- held alternately at Home and in the headquarters of the various overseas Dominions. It, was essential, the New Zealand Union stated, that this Imperial Board should be a supremo authority in revising or amending the laws of the game. Each country had its own peculiar problems and difficulties, and it was well that these should be fully understood and provided for in drafting not only the present rules but any amendments that may be made in the future. Tne point was stressed to tho Eu<»by lootball Union that in making these proposals New Zealand had no desire whatever to dominate. The Now Zealand Eugby Union wished merely to have the right to speak and vote on Bugby matters to ensure unanimity of rules and rulings of the game. Its one aim was to promote the welfare of the grand old game in all parts of the Empire, and in this it felt sure &!£* irSS* SUpp°rt °f the Eugby OF VITAL IMPORTANCE. "This is a very important resolution ol the International Board," remarked Mr. S. S. Dean (chairman), when the letter from England'was read at last night's meeting, "ana it is one that we cannot enter into lightly. I think a copy of the letter should be sent to all unions in New Zealand and also to the New South AVales Eugby Union for expressions of opinion. It is a very vital matter for certain unions in New Zealand, and very vital for New South Wales and other unioite in Australia. 1 think it is one concerning which we shall probably have to call a special meeting of delegates. This is a very old argument, and I ao not think anY leaa we might give will have any great effect." The question of reverting to the rules as laid down by the International .Board required very serious consideration, and, he aaded, it was known that New South Wales could not possibly agree to go back Mr. A. C. Kitto: "It ought to be enough for them (the International Board) to know that we play .«,«, rules Eramed by them in international games.'' BACK TO OLD EULES? Mr Dean: "Unless we agree to the mles they are not going to give us a conference. .. If we want uniformity and a say in making the rules wo will have to go back to the old rules I personally, favour going back if we can get a say in making the rules " Mr. 11. S. Loath: "Would they <-ive us a voice in that ease?" " Mr. Kitto: "I cannot see where we will ever get any farther." Mr. E. Wyiie: "Of course, if you are getting a voice you can plead your case, and if you are beaten you "will have to take it." " iSV a ma!\ co"feren«s were concerned, Mr. T. A. Fletcher understood that the International Board had previously agreed to one being held every four years. Mr. Dean mentioned, however, that New Zealand had turned down that proposition. During further dis eussion it was suggested by a member that a conference in New Zealand would be no good since it u-ould be without voting power. Reference was made by Mi-. Dean to the conference which he and Mr S Wilson had attended in England and also to the attitude of Scotland in regard to New Zealand's amendments. "We arr either going to stick to the constitution as laid down by the International Board and the English Eugby Union, or we arc going to drift," said Mr. Deaii. "And if we drift we are going to take other unions with us. We know that New South Wales and tho other Australian Unions are with us, and Canada is playing our

amended kiek-into-toueh rule, while with the agitation going on in South Africa I think they too, would follow suit. If the International Board is going to hold the big stick over us do. not thrak we are going to lay down to it. (?£t. Fletcher: "K'o.") lam quite convinced that if we made a break France and the other European Unions would also support us." "NOT CHILDEEN." "We are not schoolboys or children," remained Mr. H. H. Sterling, in claiming that New Zealand's place in Eugby entitled it to a say in the affairs of the game internationally. "How are we going to get on with this conference?" asked the chairman. Mr. Kitto: "It is a wash-out." In the event of delegates from overseas agreeing to come, Mr. Leith considered that the c nference would be futile, as there would be no voting power. It was decided that copies of the letter from England be sent on to unions for expressions of opinion. No iecision was made regarding a special meeting of delegates, but Mr. Dean suggested that if it "ame co a pinch the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union might be called at an earlier date than usual.