RUGBY "GATES"

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 81, 6 April 1933, Page 9

RUGBY "GATES"

JyfEW ZEALAND MATCHES

BENEFIT TO UNIONS

SHAEE OF PROFITS

A proposal to give Kugby unions an increased percentage of^ the gate takings at matches under the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Rugby Union formed a live topic at last night's meeting of the N.Z.R.U. Management Committee. Auckland's position financially and iu|regard to new terms for the use of Eden Park loomed large in the discussion, and the possibility of school grants being, reduced was also mentioned,, although it appeared that any move in the latter direction would meet with sterner opi>osition than that offered againstI,' the increase from "gates." Notice having "beo"!!'given at the previous meeting, Mr. S. S. Dean (chairman) moved as follows:—.

Thqt in-future -tho percentage o.f . "gata'' takings and grandstand takings to, be allowed to unions who control 'matches on behalf of the New Zealand unions be 33 1/3 per cent. The mover da id ho considered that this, representing an increase from 20 per 'cent, of the ground takings, ' was a step in the right direction.. TIME INOPPORTUNE. 1 Mr. A. y. Kitto, opposing the motion on principle, said that, while he believed in 'unions getting all the. help they could; he was unable to sco the necessity of rushing into the matter, as proposed, at the present time. He- did not th.ink that the committee, seeing that it was in office only for another month, should bind the incoming committee to the suggested terms.

The.chairman: They can always alter ■ it,, can't they? ■ ■:. . "I think it is far better for us to leave it over," said Mr. Kitto in,moving att amendment to tho effect that consideration of.the matter be deferred until after the annual meeting. .

In seconding the amendment, Mr. H; S, Leith expressed the view that the present time was inopportune for the move* as proposed by the chairman, "Under the existing state of,affairs we do not know where we are goingito be,"; he said in referring .to economic conditions generally. If Auckland or any . other union was'up against it financially I it would be far better to give help iv a practical way as tho necessity»and .a! suitable occasion arose. ;He reiterated that the time was inopportune for the increased percentage from "gates." AUCKLAND'S POSITION. \ It was pointed out by Mr. Kitto that the N.Z.R.U. had only tho one match this year,- the ihtcr-Island match. As to where it would be played had not been decided, and he felt that in view of this the matter might well be deferred. The position of the Auckland Union1 had'been raised, but there was no certainty that Auckland, w.ould have the one match this year affected by the increased percentage.' The chairman : explained that tho Auckland. Union at tho'present time was making how arrangements with tho Eden Park Board, of' Control, and" an increased share of the "gate" from New Zealand Union matches, it was considered, would assist the Auckland Union in getting better terms so far aa Eden Park was concerned.

Mr. Kitto maintained that if tho terms so far as share of gate money was concerned were worse, the chances of making better arrangements would be more favourable. Ho was prepared to say that there were plenty of unions in Now Zealand today which would take the inler-Island game on the 25' per cent, arrangement. ' '■' A FAIR PROPOSITION. "I am very strongly of opinion that this is a move in. the 'right direction," said Mr. Hylton.""l am. satisfied-that in the past unions have had to sacrifice somo of their very best playing days, and in our' interests1 it was necessary for them to give up one of their best playing days'and one of their best paying days. ■ Whatever union gots the North-South match, I think that it is only fair that they should get the amount wo are suggesting." By way of example he suggested that the Wellington. Union had lost on the day when an inter-Island match had been played in Wellington. Mr. Kitto: Question! Figures!'

Mr.' Hyiton said that Wellington •would hiive got a better "gate" from one of their own games than the percentage they received from the New Zealand Union. He thought it quite in ; order to make the decision without delay.. It would, let the annual meeting know the committce'B considered opinion; arid he thought it -would meet ■with general favour from the unions which were likely either this year or in subsequent years to* have matches under the.New Zealand Union's jurisdiction, ( He was ■ quite, certain they could do with. the assistance, and ho felt that it was needed more, by them thaii'Tjy the New Zealand Union. Moreover, it would be an incontivo to the ■unions to Strive still more to get good "gates." ' They . would recognise that in that way they would be helping themselves as well as helping the New Zealand Union. • .' ) ■ '■

Mr. Kitto: Is Mr. Hyiton insinuating that «the unions are not helping us in . getting good "gates" $ ■The. reply was that that had not 'tieen suggested.; :■ :■■ .'•■ ■'.■' ■■ -..'.': ~. ,"NOT •IMPECUNIOUS.I^ . "I think the time has arrived when we "want to' help the- unions,'? said .'Mr. ; ij?'.l GlaSgOWiV.: t •..:. ■■•'.■■.'.": {. :; ■ ■'. .'..,.' : The chairman: You are /realising, likeX do-,- that the New' Zealand Union is riot an impecunious body? ■.; ;

"Mr." Glasgow-: Exactly.. 'Assisting, thet unions in a slight way is-a; gesture io£ promise that we-are'outto h^lp them. 'Mr. Kitto: How isit going to help Auckland? ■■ , ..' ■• .' > .' ' ' ; : <Mr; J. G.<-E9ache:' It is going to:help them in negotiations: and oporatibns generally. ' '•■ '•' .■■ :' v' ■ l' ; »Mr. Kitto: The' whole question has cbmo up through Auckland.'• I may be pretty, dense, but I fail' to sco ;that improved takings will help them to get better terms. The chairman: If We can offer them a bigger porcentago they can como to better' arrangements.;. : .'. Mr.'Eoache: They arc satisfied they scan get a better deal. t ■ ~\ ■ Mr. Kitto: I cannot see it at all.' . In the jja.se: of ■ a toUr through New Zealand, naid Mri Lcith, tjio smaller unions did,, not participate to any; extent; Was., it not better ;to help them in a practical- way than to hold out this bait to them? He seconded the amendment moved by Mi\ Kitto, that the matter be deferred until after the annual mcceting. Mr. Eoachc: You cannot leave it over, because it may bo taken out of our hands at the annual meeting. SCHOOL GRANTS. There was no consistency, Mr. Leith considered^',- iri making a reduction in school grants ito unions, as had.■been suggested/.and in giving:unions an iircreased share of- gate takings.- ; ■,

This prompted a remark by; Mr. W. J. Wallace,.who endorsed Mr. Glasgow's views, that only one or-two members had suggested a redaction in school grants, Mr/Kitto adding that the chairman had made, the suggestion.. '

"I do rrt tliink the-annual'.meeting •will agree to a reduction in school ■jgrants,';'Paid. Mr. Hylfo'n. ■ ■• ■ . Tfif. at'.endm^nt was declared , lost, lanji the .motion was carried.