RUGBY AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 19549, 6 May 1927, Page 5

RUGBY AFFAIRS

——— NEW ZEALAND UNION ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES [Pee United Ekess Association.s WELLINGTON, May 6. At tho annual meeting of the Nett Zealand Rugby Union the president (Mr M'Devitc. of Waikato I referred to the visits to New South Wales and vie ioria and to tho tour of the Maor! representatives, whom lie .congratulated. The tour to South Africa nexi year and tho proposed ame ndme nts_ of the rules would form, subjects for discussion. It was regretted that .Ml Wray, the New Zealand representative at Home, should have had so'little success in his endeavor to establish an Imperial advisory hoard. Our. fellowsportsmen in the Old Land required a little enlightenment on Ihe question of representation. An application had come from Samoa for affiliation. _ There were also applications from certain subunions, hut the speaker deprecated the increasing number, as the multiplicity of representative fixtures between unions interfered too much with dub football. Ho suggested that, the smaller unions should amalgamate. Ho hoped that every effort would be made to keep the Moascar Cup competition - alive. Tho finances showed a loss of £Hi on the rear, but, considering the expenses of tlio tours, the position was ■; most satisfactory. ' ' . 1 Mr M'Devitt indicated that the meet- i ing would bo asked to invite Great . Britain to send out a team in 1929, also that the Maori team would be sent on tour of the minor unions for the purpose of fostering the game, which he considered would be of great benefit, j MOASCAR CUP. j Delegates discussed the Moascar Cup competition, some members holding' the reason why there were no challenges Inst season was because the Te Auto (holders) team was so heavy that the masters of other secondary schools objected to pitting their hoys against. them. _ . „ - S It was decided to write to the Head Masters’ Association for suggestions regarding the best method of conducting; tho Moascar Cup competition. I SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR. ! A discussion ersued on the matter of; the tiial matches this season for the South African tour, opinions 4 differing as to whether the matches should be plaved late this season or early next. It was stated that the team would have to leave New Zealand for South Africa in June, and that it was advisable to play tho trial matches this season. It was eventually decided to commence these matches on September 21 and conclude them on October 4. _ . There was a difference of opinion also on tlie number of matches to lie played in South Africa, twenty-one having' been arranged for. The President said that was too many* and advised fourteen or fifteen. A motion was proposed that not more than sixteen bo played, but was afterwards withdrawn, and it was ultimately decided to leave it to tho discretion or the Management Committee as to tho number of matches. . i It was decided to play the following 1 trial matches;— ~ , September 21.—North Auckland and J Auckland v. Thames Valley, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty, at Auckland; Nel* son, Marlborough, and Golcleti Bay v* Buffer and West Coast, at Westport. September 25.—Hawke’s Bay, Poverty l , Bay, and East Coast v. Wairarapa and, Bush Union, at Napier.; . ' • September 28. Wellington ana Mamiwatu v. Wanganui, Taranaki, ana King Country, at Palmerston North. September 28.— Canterbury and South Canterbury v. Otago and South* i land, at Dunedin. . _ ) October I.—North. Island v. South Island, at Wellington. '. ' .' It was also decided that the following further trials should be played; early next season to finalise the selection o{ tho team for South Africa:— " Tho minor unions of the North Island v. the minor_ unions of the South Island, the major unions of the North Island v. the maior unions of the South Island, North Island v. South Islandl Possibles v. Probables, UNIFORMITY OF RULES. The necessity for uniformity of rules was stressed. It was pointed out that the Maoris played under three different sets of rules when cn tour, and Now Zealand representation on the International RugTbv Board was supported by delegates onlv if a vote were given t/ie delegate. It" was further pointed out thnt° it would bo a very fine thing if they could have an Imperial set of rules. It was considered a vise thing to have a conference of delegates from South Africa and New Zealand while the New Zealand team was in South Africa next year. AN IMPERIAL BOARD Mr J. MTcod (Taranaki', moved—- " That tho New Zealand Ruby Union learns with regret of tho International Board’s decision not to establish an Imperial board as approved by the 1924 Imperial Rugby Conlerence _ That this union urges on the English Rugby Union to call a conference of delegates of the English, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish Unions, together with delegates from New Zealand, New South Wales, and South African Rugby lotions, with a view to establishing an Imperial Rugby board,' the _ functions of which shall be, inter .alia, the control -r ; Ilngbv football within tho Empire. ; That "a copy of this resolution be sent j to New South Wales and South Africa ; asking fbr their support, and that the ; English, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish , Rugby Unions bo notified of this xesp* • lutlon.” The motion was carried. • ,f“i KICK INTO TOUCH RULE. Mr W. J. Hardham, on behalf of 1 Wellington Union, moved—“ That, in* view of a New Zealand side touring ’ South Africa in 1928, all representative and trial mtehes and the North v. South match bo played under the old kick into touch rule.” Tho motion, which was strongly opposed by several speakers, was lost by. •16 votes to 22. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers wera elected:—Patron, the Governor-Gen* oral; president, Mr H. Manoy (Golden Bay, Motucka); vice-presidents, the presidents of affiliated unions; hon. treasurer, Mr K. Wyho; Management Committee—Messrs E. M’Kenzie, H. S. Leith, S. S. Dean, W. Hormg, T. A. Fletcher, A. C. Kitto, C. L. Mullaucy} Appeal Committee —Messrs J. Arneil, l> Mackie, J. L. Conlan vail of Auckland); auditor, Mr 0. G. Kcmbcr; representative on the .English Rugby Union, Mr C. J. TV ray. AFFILIATION. Samoa, North Otago, and Ashburton were all affiliated, the last two as separate unions ■