EXEMPTION GRANTED

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 63, 16 March 1933, Page 6

EXEMPTION GRANTED

WORKLESS RUGBY PLAYERS

GLUB SUBSCRIPTIONS

" To assist players in straitened circumstances who are unable to pay their club subscriptions, and .at the same time prevent players taking an Unfair advantage of the latitude allowed in this respect, the delegates to the annual meeting of the Wellington Rugby/Union last night./unanimously approved the alteration to rule 4' in the rules governing club contests as proposed by the Wellington College Old Bqys'.\Club. Rule 6, which applies to the injured players' fund, was also altered to enable approved unfinancial players to have the benefits o£ the accident fund.

: In moving the motion (which was published in yesterday's"'"Post") on behalf of the Old Boys' Club, Mr.J. Prendeville explained that a considerable number of years ago the provision now covered by rule 4was brought in at the wish of the clubs, to , facilitate ;the collecting o£ subscriptions. After some years the rule fell into abeyance, but at the annual meeting four,or five.years ago'the clubs reafiirme'd their desire'to hare'it enforced. Two-years ago, on the motion of the Selwyn:Club, the rule was: suspended for one season and the suspension was repeated, last .^yearf; Since .then it had been found'that many players whp were able to pay their subscriptions took advantage of the" position. He thought 'that the scheme proposed by his'club would meet all aspects of the matter. The rule still remained in fdr.ce, but exemption would be granted when a club certified that a player was unemployed or, owing to family obligations^ was unable to pay his subscription. Rule 6 would also be altered to allow such players: to continue to receive the benefits of the accident fund. . '

In seconding the motion, Mr. S. S. Dean (Poneke) that the safeguard was in the hands of the clubs.

The president (Dr. P. F. McEvedy) said he thought the time was opportune to ask the club delegates to impress upon players that they should call upon the union's doctors on. the night of the Saturday! on which they w,ere: injured instead of telephoning for attention on the Sunday or during the following week. It was only fair to the doctors -that they should be visited' at their surgeries when they were on duty and not be asked to give up their leisure time.

The motion was then put to the meeting and carried, unanimously..

The'Melrose-Selwyn Club, withdrew its motion; that rule 4 should W rescinded, in favour'of the. Old Boys' Club's motion.