LIKELY TO GO

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 11

LIKELY TO GO

J. DICK FOR AUSTRALIA

AUCKLAND ACTION

It is now practically certain that J. Dick, the Auckland and New Zealand Rugby representative wing-three-quarter, will go to Australia. As a result of representations from Auckland, the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union has agreed that there would be no objection to Dick going to join the team, provided that he had a clearance from a medical officer nominated by the New Zealand Rugby | Union arid that he did net leave New Zealand earlier than July 19. Previous] action in the matter of replacing Dick in the team was taken because of the nature of medical opinions on the case and as a guard against the risk of infection, Dick having contracted measles. Confirming a telephonic conversation with Auckland, the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Union has written to the Auckland Rugby Union pointing out that, in view of his unfortunate illness, Dick would not be able to tour as a member of the New Zealand team. It being understood, however, that some people in Auckland desired to pay the expenses of sending Dick to Australia, the New Zealand Rugby Union had no objection to that course being adopted, though, on medical advice, it could not agree to Dick leaving j by the Awatea on July 13. The union considered that it would be as well if Dick did not leaVe before July 19 so that the period of possible infection would be covered.

According to a Press Association message, the chairman of the Auckland Rugby Union (Mr. A. A. Baker) stated that his union was sponsoring a private fund to enable Dick to go to Australia, and it was meeting with a ready response from Rugby enthusiasts and admirers of the player. A telegram was received from the Whangarei Union, stating that a cheque was being forwarded. The Auckland Union's social committee had also mad^ a donation. Mr. Baker said the position of the New Zealand Union could be easily understood. The expense of the All Black team from the time it left Wellington until its return was borne by the New South Wales Rugby Union. The same thing applied when an. Australian team visited the Dominion, the New Zealand Union then bearing similar expense. Under the circumstances it was only to be expected that.the New Zealand Union would not ask the New South Wales Union to bear the expense of an extra player. There was an agreement between the two unions regarding the number of touring players.

Expressions of regret that J. Dick would not be accompanying the side to Australia were made at the farewell function to the New Zealand . Rugby team. Mr. S. S. Dean mentioned that he understood that something was being done in Auckland to enable Dick to go, and the hope was expressed by the New Zealand captain (N. A. Mitchell) that Dick would be able to join the team later.