CRITICISM OF M.Z. COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 27, 31 July 1937, Page 25

CRITICISM OF M.Z. COUNCIL

NOT EVERY BRICKBAT . DESERVED

The proof afforded by the English . tour that New Zealand Soccer is not high in standard resulted immediately in a storm of brickbat-throwing by the noisy minority of people who delight to criticise the work which they themselves do not feel inclined to do. By far the most.popular target for the brickbat-throwers was and still, is the Council of the New Zealand Football Association, though how the critics think the present members can be held responsible for this season's paucity of football talent is beyond the comprehension of the unbiased mind.

The New Zealand Council is not infallible and it does make mistakes. Its own members would be the first to admit that. But its mistakes are equalled if not exceeded by the individuals and affiliated associations whence arises so much of the complaint of the council's deeds.

What the critics cither fail to take into account or do not know is that the onerous work of the New Zealand Council is done entirely voluntarily, and often at, much personal expense, to the officers. The two overseas teams that have toured the Dominion this season and last have given the executive officials- of the New Zealand Association two years of constant toil, there being no off-season as local associations know it. Arrangements to send twenty visitors from one end of New Zealand to the other cannot be made as the tour progresses.

Another fact often forgotten by the critics is that the New Zealand Council has to deal with problems from all over New Zealand.. Too frequently compaints are based upon a purely local lack of appreciation of the council's national difficulties. And then the complainants always have the remedy of electing an entirely new council: at the annual meeting. For years now every new council has included a majority of the previous one, a fact which speaks for itself. LETTER TO CHRISTCHUKCH. Criticism of the Dominion controlling body for the state of the Association code was levelled by members at this week's management committee meeting of the Canterbury Football Association, says the "Star-Sun." The discussion followed on a letter received from Mr. M. J. Hayward, a Wellington supporter. , ■•-.-■. !' "Now that the English team has left New Zealand, we realise how low the standard of our football has- sunk," stated the- letter. After paying a tribute to the Canterbury team, Mr. Hayward added: — "Some of the. old-timers here are thinking of calling a meeting to discuss ways and means of improving the game. , "To build up our own game, we must start at the bottom, but to do that we must start at the top. The present members of the council' must we weighed in the balance, sifted out, and given their running shoes. They have failed, and a new system of appointing delegates must be found." The method of appointing delegates was next attacked. "Many of the present councillors are often seen coming from Rugby matches," the letter added. PAYMENT OF REFEREES. The payment of referees was suggested *by the letter, a levy on each player being the method for raising the money., Mr. Hayward, however, paid a tribute to the high standard of play- in Canterbury, with particular reference to the winning and holding of the Football Association Trophy. He praised the team's performance in its match against Wellington. ■ ' -He explained that Australia was definitely on the Soccer map. "If we can get some sound business men interested in our game, and gst together a strong live-wire council, we should benefit by Australia's success," he wrote. . "Perhaps if the council were shifted from Wellington it may be for the best," the letter concluded. "The game is going back and the New Zealand' Council is to blame,'' commented Mr. R. Ward. "Three or four men are controlling the game," said the chairman ■ (Mr. J. E. Jones). "Resolutions made at the annual meeting are not carried out." He suggested that a change of delegates might help the position. "Even our delegate has voted against us," he added. . Mr. .F. T. H. Bell pointed out that they had the opportunity, to change him. He would like to see the centre directly, represented all the time. The principle of the payment of referees was not approved. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENT. When the attention of the chairman of the New Zealand Council (Mr. J. A. Milburn) was drawn by a "Post" reporter to the above report, he indicated that he did not think it worth

while answering such bald allegations hurled from a distance. All he would say was. that the Dominion's standard of Soccer was not. so low as some' people thought, and that every member of the council worked wholeheartedb" for the improvement of the game.