ELECTION TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEK

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 23

ELECTION TAKES PLACE NEXT WEEK

CANDIDATES FOR N.Z. CONTROLLING BODY

(By "Drop,-Kick.")

Under the amended constitution of the New Zealand Rugby Union it is necessary for candidates for office to be nominated not less than fourteen days before the annual meeting. The nominations closed last week, and, in accordance with the rules, the lists of nominees have been forwarded to affiliated unions.

The election of officers will take place at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union,, to be held in Wellington next Wednesday.

Time and again the Rugby controlling body comes in for criticism, and it is not unusual before an annual meeting to hear that changes are. likely. The administrators themselves hear it, and they take it with a smile. But the smile is broadest when the numbers go up. It is then that, generally speaking, they find themselves back in office, the voting giving clear proof of the delegates' confidence in the ability of these men to hold the reins' of office. NO DRASTIC CHANGES. There will be no sweeping change on the controlling body of Rugby in New Zealand this year. This fact is plain from the list of nominations. Taking the case of the executive, there are only three candidates other than those at present in office. If unions wanted a big change they had. the matter in their own hands to act in good time before the annual gathering of delegates at Wellington. New rules governing the nominating of candidates for office were adopted at the last annual meeting, and they gave unions the opportunity of making nominations at least a fortnight prior to the annual meeting and of Studying the full list of nominees before going to the annual meeting, where, in the past, many delegates have been "in the dark" as to' all those standing for • seats on- the management committee (now the executive).

One point freely mentioned in connection with the control of Eugby football in New Zealand is that the immediate past player is conspicuous by his absence. It does not follow that •11 well-known players are good ad-

ministrators, but the value or their knowledge and experience is something that should be recognised; indeed, in the case of some of New Zealand's leading players it could be turned to good advantage on the controlling body.

Some of those who have actually played the game" in recent times, especially those who have been leaders on the field of play in New Zealand or overseas, must surely have something to offer as -a result of their playing experience and the contacts made with Rugby leaders of other countries. NO RETIREMENTS? There are some surprises in the nominations for office this year. It had been indicated that at least two members of the executive would not be seeking re-election. Mr. W. J. Wallace, for one, had announced his intention of retiring, and the chairman (Mr. S..S. Dean) had indicated that he might not be standing again. There was some doubt also as to whether Mr. F. T. Glasgow would be a candidate. However, all sitting members of the conynitteev are nominated along with three other candidate! (Messrs. T. A. Fletcher and J. Moffitt and the Hon. J. McLeod) for the executive. No election will be necessary for president. Mr. A. M. Ongley (Manawatu) is the only nominee for that office, and he will succeed Mr. R. T. Meredith, who now. seeks office as a South Island councillor. Two vice-presidents are required, six have been nominated—Messrs. M. McKenzie (Marlborough), who is at present in office, L. V. Carmine (King Country), J. j. Goodwin (Taranaki), J. Gillespie (Horowhenua), and N. Robilliard (Ashburton), and Dr. W. S. Seed (Canterbury). COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE. For the council the nominees are:— North Island (three required): Dr. G. J. Adams (Wanganui), the Hon. R. Masters (Taranaki), and Messrs. D. G. McMillan (Thames Valley), A. St. C. Belcher (Waikato), H. Frost (Auckland), G. A. Maddison (Hawke's Bay), J. A. Guinness (Bay of Plenty) and W. C. Hanan (Horowhenua). South Island (three required): Messrs. R. T. Meredith (Southland), D. M. Spedding (Otago), A. E. McPhail (Canterbury), A. A. Adams (West Coast), and W. A. Craddock (Buller). The sitting members are Dr. Adams and Messrs. Belcher, Maddison, Spedding, McPhail, and Adams. The ten'nominees for the seven seats

on the executive (members of which automatically take seats on the council) are the Hon. J. McLeod (Taranaki), Lieut-Colonel J. G. Roache (Auckland), and Messrs. S. S. Dean (Southland), J. Prendeville (Wellington), T. A. Fletcher (East Coast),- A. C. Kitto (North Auckland), W. J. Wallace (North Otago), A. McDonald (Otago), F. T. Glasgow (King Country), nad J. Moffitt (Marlborough).