NEW ZEALAND RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE QUESTION OF SUSPENSION [Per United Press Association.] WiXLINUTON, February 21. 'l'he advisaoilit y of suspending the annual conference of the New Zealand Rugby Union during war Lime because of (he need to conserve funds and because of the expense involved in such meeting was discussed at to-day’s meeting of the executive council of the union. I(. was decided to ask the unions throughout. New Zealand whether they wore agreeable to such suspension or whether they would agree lo the conference being attended by one delegate only from each union. Ihe expenses involved lo be met by the respective unions. The unions are lo be asked I*' forward their views md later than April 2. In the meantime, tin* tentative date of the annual conference was fixed for May 1. “In Ihe present eircunist a nee.- il '('em? lo be a big expense bringing delegate*- lo (dm annual conference,” said Mr .1. Premieviile. “(t seems to me wc could carry on without the conference and hold the election of ollicers. etc., hy postal ballot. During Ihe lasi war annual eonlcrences were held, lint in those ■days (here were fewer unions and fewer delegates. To-day there are about 80 delegales, and the total cost, of sending delegates to the conference and the other incidentals incurred would probably amount lo about £500.” The chairman, Mr S. S. Dean, favoured seeking an expression of opinion from the unions. Mr P. M. Sped cling said he thought it desirable to hold the conference if possible. Football was likely to be. in the doldrums during the coming year because of the war, and lie fell that the N T ew Zealand Union ought to do all in its power to help the game along. Ho. that the New Zealand Union should pay half the cost of sending the delegates, the unions to pay the other half. Tim -Chairman : I have been on this union for 21 tu 22 vears now. and this year has hem. ! think (he ea-ie-l vear wc have evc< i • had. There ha- been !r-- busine--in dop! with than in all my experience. There ha- been -imply imihing vitally im-