RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 21720, 15 May 1934, Page 20

RUGBY LEAGUE

THE CODE IN OTAGO DESTINY IN BALANCE A critical period in the history of the Otago Rugby League has been reached this season, when the fact has had to bo faced that there is an embarrassing shortage of players. Many of the older members of clubs have dropped out of active participation, and the recruits have not been coming in with sufficient regularity to keep the four senior club teams up to full strength. It is now known that, in the endeavour to make up the deficiency in playing personnel, the executive of the Otago Rugby League has been giving consideration to the possibility' of offering financial inducement to participants in the game, and it is understood that this project, discussed in committee, was the chief topic; at last night’s meeting of executive members. Mr W. Holloway presided over a good attendance. The Chairman said they would notice from the minutes that tbe secretary had been instructed to meet, the manager of the hank. Mr F. Turnbull: Before you go any further I move that we go into committee.

The Chairman: I intend to support a motion to that effect later on, but in the meantime I should like to make a statement. I do not wish to send the reporters away empty-handed. He went on to say that members would be pleased to hear that the financial position of the League was very sound. They had a certain amount of money and a certain manner in which to spend it. It was provided in the rules that no player should derive any pecuniary gain or benefit, but the members of the committee were the trustees for the League and had to spend the money in the best interests of the code. On. the last two Saturdays the League seemed to have slipped back. The game, moreover, was not getting the Eublic’s support, and the code was andicapped by not having a ground of its own. “We do not get tbe support of the public,” reiterated My Holloway. “And why? The reports of last Saturday’s proceedings revealed an out-and-out fiasco. We are out in the open, and it is for you gentlemen to consider the best ways and means of exercising your power and administering the capital to further the best interests of the League. If we can field four teams we will carry on. If we cannot do this is it worth while carrying on? Voice: No.

Mr Holloway: We have to give the public more for their money, and we want enough players, to give them more.

Mr Turnbull: We have no public. Mr Holloway went on to say they could not give the money to any other organisation. The Rugby Union had a strong hold in Dunedin. In Wellington League had slipped back, hut in Auckland, Taranaki, West Coast, and Canterbury it was thriving. It remained for the Otago League to push the game ahead in Dunedin. • It had no antipathy towards any other, code, for it felt that there was room for all. If the League could find ways and means of increasing interest and getting a better class of player there was no reason why it should not make headway.

“ We have a great amount of capital,” concluded the chairman. “We have more than the public thinks, and we must spend it to the best advantage.” ' ! After the executive had i had a lengthy discussion in committee, the chairman said he could only say that the delegates had guaranteed full teams for Saturday next. The matter now rested with the clubs. Asked whether the League had decided to make any payment to players, Mr Holloway replied that the constitution of the League would not allow it to do so. It is understood, however, that clubs are allowed to make an allowance to players for their appearance in matches. The executive of thfe League is to meet the players at the Oval pavilion to-night. ,