A DIVIDED HOUSE.

Evening Star, Issue 18698, 29 July 1924, Page 2

A DIVIDED HOUSE.

“STRING PULLING FROM AUCKLAND.” fSpSCIAL TO THE ‘ SlAE.’] WELLINGTON, July 28. The Rugby house of management was divided yesterday afternoon, when fsomo members of the New Zealand. Union e Executive took strong exception to tho line of action which had been followed regarding suggestions that another player be included in tho All Black team. Mr A- C. Kitto was in the chair, Mr S. B. Doan having left the meeting in order to attend tho civic farewell to the All Blacks. The call for the minutes of the last meeting brought to light business which had been transacted at a special meeting held on Saturday evening. It was recorded that that meeting showed that representations had been made by prominent people for the inclusion of another player in the team. Tho player referred to was the Auckland half-back, D. Wright, and it was also stated that, provided he r was given status as a player in the New Zealand team, a person in Auckland would guarantee £6OO towards the expense of sending Wright A suggestion had also been received from Mr Little, who mam an-ed the team on the tour to Sydney, that an extra back be included, and Wrtoht was mentioned. Tho matter had been referred to the New Zealand Rugby Union’s representative on tho Selection Committee (Mr E. M'Kenzie), and he, after communicating with the other selectors, had definitely turned down the proposal to send Wright. That, in effect, was the nature of tho business at Saturday s special meeting, and it was placed before the committee yesterday afternoon for confirmation. . Mr T, A. Fletcher expressed the opinion that a wrong action had been com milted in calling that special meeting, as it was known that three month ehs of the committee (Messrs Kitto and M’Kenzie and himself) would be unable to attend, and at a previous meeting an agreement had been reached that the next meeting would be on that day (Monday). Mr E. M'Kenzie: “Why the urgency in communicating with the selectors? ’ Mr E. Wylie replied that members of the committee recognised that a very urgent appeal was coming from the north, and that representations were being made by people of high standing. Surely, he said, the committee could not treat such people with contempt. As far as ho was aware, notices wore sent to every member of the committee.

Mr Fletcher: “Were they?” Mr Wylie: “I think, so. It was taken that the members would be notified. We called this meeting in all good faith to discuss tho matter, and the suggestion was made that if necessary the selectors should be brought to Wellington’ to discuss it. The whole thing was a clear-cut issue. Everything was aboveboard. It was certainly unfortunate that some members of the committee were unable to be present. The mooting was called in good faith for the betterment of the team and for tho good cause of the game.” Mr Wylie added that ho, personally, was not afraid of the action he had taken.

Mr W. Hornig said that he could bear out what Mr Wylie had said regarding the matter. He himself was against any addition beinv made to the team, but under tiie circumstances he certainly thought that the committee should be called together. A Member; “Who was the deputation that asked for the committee to be called together?” Air A. C. Kitto: Sorely they were not going to let outsiders influence them. Mr M'Kenzie wanted to know what tho people mentioned as having made representations had to do with the committee.

. Air Wylie explained that tho sending away of "the Ail Blade team, was more than a matter of football. It was a nationol affair, and people holding the positions of those who had made representations wore entitled to be heard on Rugby football, and were entitled to respect. The committee, he thought, would be lacking in its sense of responsibility if it refused to consider a request such as that which had been made. Air Kitto i “I could not sec why that Saturday meeting was called.” A Member i “Was any barm done?” Air Kitto: “To my way of thinking, yes.” Air Fletcher i “ I movo that the minutes of that meeting be not confirmed.” During further discussion as to the rearsons for calling the meeting Mr M’Kenzio, as chairman of the Selection Committee, stated that his reply _to the request for tho inclusion of Wright had been made before the meeting of the committee took place on Saturday. Air Wylio emphasised tho fact that the whole thing was done openly and aboveboard. Tho one object in view in calling the meeting was for the good of the team. In addition to tho reply of the selectors, other information was conveyed to some members of tho committee, a'nd that was thought to bo of sufiiicent importance to call the meeting. The discussion then turned to the telegram which Air Little had sent, and a member expressed tho view that it was unfortunate that the player’s name had been mentioned. The telegram, had been sent on to the selectors without any comment from tho committee.

Mr M'Kenzie: “The whole thing savors of string-pulling from Auckland, and_ I am very much surprised to see a section of our committee bowing to it. It goes to show what might have gone on ” Mr M'Kenzie added that with one exception tho selectors were opposed to the proposal. Air Wylie was about to giro further support to the action which, had been taken when Air M'Kenzie remarked: “Mr Wylie, I think yon have spoken about seven times.” Air Wylie: “ How many times have you spoken ? The statement that the selectors are all against the addition of another player is not correct.” A Member: “With one exception.”

Mr M'Kenzie intimated that ho could produce telegrams to support his statement. Mr Fletcher again moved that tho minutes of the Saturday meeting bo not confirmed, and Mr Al'Kenzie seconded. Tho question was thou raised as to the motion being in order, and the chairman said that ho conld not accept it, as there had been a quorum making tho meeting in order. Tho meeting, however, should not have been called, in view of tho agreement at the previous meeting. Mr Wylie : “ Everything has been done openly and aboveboard, and the meeting was called upon good grounds. 1 think Air M'Kenzie ought to withdraw his remarks.”

Air M'Kenzie: “I withdraw nothing.” Other matters which had not been satisfactory to certain members of tho committee were discussed until the chairman ruled that they were beside the question. Rovprting to the original subject of discussion, Mr Wylie contended that bo had given a vorv full explanation, and he asked that Mr .M'Kenzie withdraw the suggestion he had made about hole-and-corner methods. Air Al'Kenzie ; ‘‘lt savored of it.” Air Wylie: “I am very sorry to hear von sav so.’’

If. ms decided that, tho minutes of the special meeting be included in those of the meeting in progress, and that the members who were, absent- r„n Saturday be recorded, as being present.

The Chairman; “I take it that this meeting has every confidence in the team as selected hv Hie selectors." ATembers ; “A ve." Mr Wylie: “It always had.” The meeting then adjourned.