RUGBY AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21077, 14 April 1932, Page 8

RUGBY AFFAIRS

CLAIMS OF OVERSEAS BODIES PROPOSED COMMISSION OF CONTROL ANNUAL MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND UNION [Pek United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 14. “ It is felt by us all that the time has surely arrived when New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia should have a vote on the body that will be supreme in the control and destinies of our game,” said the president (Mr Dean), in the course of his address to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-day. “ Although the claims of overseas unions have been pressed for a number of years, the best offer we had from the International Board is the proposed Rugby Commission. Although, the commission will give us the, opportunity of stating our aspirations and voting on questions submitted, the commission is subservient to the International Board, which may in its wisdom discard any resolutions carried by the commission. I, personally, do not think this is likely to occur, as by the suggested constitution of the commission any resolution would have to be carried by such an overwhelming majority that it would need to be practically unanimous, and must necessarily have the support of the majority of the unions comprising the International Board before any _ resolu-, tions carried by the commission can become law. ~ “ Although it may bo considered that the acceptance of the commission may bo a desirable step, and would bring us and overseas dominions into closer contact with the powers that be ,in the Old Country, I am of the opinion that we should, with the other overseas dominions, press our claims for a seat on a regular and properly-con-stituted body which will he paramount in the control of Rugby football. The South African Rugby Board has accepted the offer of the commission without any reservation whatsoever, but Australia, like ourselves, has up to the present refrained from expressing its opinion on this important subjeC“'lt is a great pity the request sent forward by all overseas unions for a conference during the recent visit of the South African team to Great Britain was not acceded to. I am quite safe in saying that this was the main reason that decided Mr Pienaar, president of the South African Rugby Board, visiting Great Britain during the last season. , “It is not desirous that the control of Rugby should be removed from the Homeland, and it is hard to understand why we should not enjoy the confidence of the Home unions, particularly m view of the fact that both Australia and Now Zealand have agreed upon being asked by England to fall into hue in playing the game and conforming with the rules as then laid down by the Rugby Union, and we were given to understand by Mr Baxter, who was manager of the British team _ that visited our shores in 1930, that this was the main obstacle in the way of the establishment of such a body as the overseas unions desired. “ We appreciate the efforts made by the Rugby Union of England and Mr Baxter on our behalf, but is the proposed commission satisfactory to usr Should we accept it, or should we refuse it in its present form, is for this conference to decide. It must be remembered should the proposed commission be accepted, we must withdraw our affiliation to the Rugby Football Union, and it may bo we are grasping at a shadow and losing our substance. “ The Rugby Football _ Union, I am sure, has done and is doing its utmost to see fair treatment meted out to the dominions unions, and until such time as a body is set up that will satisfy the dominions, it may be better to retain, affiliation with England.” '