WARTIME RUGBY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 15

WARTIME RUGBY

WELLINGTON'S AIM

INTERESTS OF ALL

Reasons why the game of Rugby should be carried on in time of war were given by the president of the Wellington Rugby UnioK (Si*-. E-. Price) at a function this week. It had been revealed that there would be a loss on the year's operations, said Mr. Price. In these times it was not so much a question of profit or loss as a matter of keeping the game going. To do so was in the interests of the many young men who might be called upon to serve their country and of the others who, on account of age and for other reasons, would not be going overseas. Then, too, it was essential to carry on so that the many active players with the forces would find the game ready for them to return to when they came home again. A loss on the year's workings so far as the Wellington Rugby Union was concerned was more or less expected, said the president, but it was evident from the financial statement presented at the 4 committee's meeting that the safeguaTding of the union's finances, which was very necessary, had been done most efficiently. He congratulated the committee upon its work generally. Other tributes were paid at the function, special mention being made by Mr. H. D. Morgan of the long and valuable service given by the chairman (Mr. J. N. Millard), who had joined the committee during the last war and whose experience then had proved of great benefit in the handling of the union's affairs during the present war. On behalf of the committee, Mr. Morgan conveyed seasonal wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Millard. Reference -was also made to the long service given by Mr. G. F. W. Jackson as treasurer and Mr. A. E. Neilson as secretary. Not only had Mr. Neilson served the Wellington Union for 17 years, but he had also been the New Zealand Rugby "Union's secretary for 15 years. Among the toasts honoured were "The President" (proposed'by Mr. J. N. Millard, who made eulogistic reference to Mr. Price's record of service and its recognition by the clubs); "The Chairman" (by Mr. Morgan); "The Junior Advisory Committee" (by Mr. J. D. King, Mr. Morgan replying); "The Grounds Committee" (by Mr. H. |B. Simmons, response by Mr. H. Murphy); "The Secretary" (by Professor Boyd-Wilson); "The Treasurer" (by Mr. J. Moffitt); "The . Schools* Unions" (by Mr. Price, Messrs.- R. J. Burke and L. Stannard replying); "Officials and Players Overseas": and "The Press."