CARRY ON

Evening Star, Issue 23501, 15 February 1940, Page 6

CARRY ON

RUGBY AND THE WAR [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 14. The decision that it should be the policy of the union to carry on the game in the interests of the, players, and the public generally was made at a meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union to-uight. The 'chairman (Mr a. A. Baker) stated that there had been heavy enlistments on the part of Rugby footballers. One senior club estimated that at present it would be unable to field a team higher’ than third intermediate grade. “ To my mind some unions are inclined to bo a bit panicky- about the situation,” said the Chairman. “ It has been suggested there should be no Rugby in wartime. That, in my opinion, is rubbish.” Mr Baker pointed out that of the Auckland Union’s 6,000,0 r 7,000 players at least 80 per cent, were not of military age. He was of the opinion that» a modified representative programme should be played, and that the North and South Island Unions should- arrange tours in their own islands, avoiding longer tours. The general feeling of the delegates was that Rugby was a great recruiting ground for the military forces. . A well-attended meeting of representatives of the senior and junior- clubs of the Auckland Rugby League decided to-night to carry on with the-competi-tions this season until such. time_ as the Government places any restrictions, which will bo lovally supported by all players and officials.