LEGISLATION AGAINST PROFESSIONALS.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 351, 23 August 1907, Page 4

LEGISLATION AGAINST PROFESSIONALS.

Wellington, August 22. At a meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union a letter was considered from the secretary of the Council of the New Zealand Athletic Association pointing out the evils of professionalism in sport and suggesting that a conference be held at Christchurch with the object of promoting legislation during the current session of , Parliament. A sympathetic resolution was passed, and the Union is prepar ed to be represented at such conference and suggests it be held in Wellington so that members of Parliament may attend. The Committee decided to expel eight footballers who had beeu suspended by the Weiling-or. Rugby Union for professionalism, also to ask various Unions to supply the full names of persons from their district who have joined the professional team. ■ Mr Edgar Wylie, in his report on the recent tour in Australia, said that the enthusiasm of the people for the Rugby yme is very warm, and there us a marked improvement in th:play, particularly in New South Wales. Mr Wylie said tho rulings of Au_~ tralian referees varied considerably from those of New Zealand referee > and it was hoped that the recent con fdrence would bring about more urnform interpretation of the laws of the game in Australasia.