FOOTBALL

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 277, 28 May 1907, Page 2

FOOTBALL

• [BT BLBOTAIO TKLBOBAPH — OOPYBIGHT.] [PBB FBBSB ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, May 27. The Council of the New South Wales Rugby Union at a meeting to-night passed the following resolution — "That this Council conveys to the New Zealand Union its hearty appreciation of the action taken in reference to the suggested visit of a professional team to England, being of opinion that such action is in the best interest of the game." Auckland, May 27. One prominent footballer who refused to sign the Rugby Union's declaration, said, when approached on tho subject, that he objected to the principle of enforcing amateurs to sign a declaration before a Justice of the Peace, and thus "sell" any liberty they now had. ''For instance," he said, "I, like others, pay my subscription to a club to play football with the othe.* members. I also pay a shilling a week to go out to the grounds, and why should I have to sign a declaration? I have been an amateur footballer for the past fourteen years or so, and my status has never been questioned Why should it be questioned now?" • Some of the members of the Rugby Union were approached on the subject, and in general conversation with them a Herald reporter ascertained that they thought the men in refusing to sign the declaration, had made a false step. One member said the New Zealand Rugby Union had the present and future welfare of the game in view when they placed these declarations before the players. Another said: "I know that some of the Aucklanders were approached, and at least most of them refused to go, but consider they are under an obligation to those who wish to go to shield them, even at the expense of "themselves. Those who anticipate going should have the moral courage to admit it." Another follower of the game considered that the dispute had evolved itself into a contest between amateurism and professionalism. It affected the football of the future, and if the Union did not stand firm the young players would eventuaUy be corrupted.