THE QUESTION OF PROFESSIONALISM.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 534, 30 March 1908, Page 2

THE QUESTION OF PROFESSIONALISM.

FPEIt I'EiSSS ASSOCIATION.* Dunedin, March 29. The amnuial meeting of tho Otago Rugby FootbaM Union was held last night: Tho President (Mr G. W. C. Mac Donald) referred to the fact that last season a professional team left tho dominion for England. No man was more strongly opposed to professionalism -than 'he ivas, but >ho certainly thought "that the • over-stringent rules of amateurism adopted by the English Rugby Union had led to the establishment of professionalism. Jl' a player who went on tour with an interprovineialt team lost his wages why should tho Union not make up his wages? The man did not get his living by the game. It was resolved — "That at be a recommendation to the Committeo o* management to instruct its delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union to move for a conference or it-he setting up of a committeo to go thoroughly into tlie rules of the game with the object of their improvement, and that :tho decisions of the conference or the suggestions of tho committee be passed on to the English Union." Mr J. Hutchison was elected President. Auckland, March 29. Many complaints were made by injured players of Rugby football 'n Auckland 'last season that while ibhey were turning out week by week at tho risk of limb, and incidentally filling the coffers of the Union by the gates they attracted, yet when they were unfortunate enough to bo injured they had to wait weeks lor money from the accident fund. This tended to strain -the relationshap between the officers of the Union and the players, who surmise that they are being used to build up a large bank balance, and, when in that mood, aro likely to Listen to the voice of the profossionall tempter. Locally tihe professional movemeavc appears to have fizzled out. Although a few weeks ago "the man an the street" was saying that there would bo four teams started and that the Eden District Cricket Club's grounds had been secured, yet nothing has developed. Inquiries have elicited the fact that the Eden authorities have not yet been approached by professional promoters as to the reratang of their ■ground. The promoters may be like "brer rabbit," laying low and awaiting the arrival of tho team now on its way from England, but if that were the caso surely tongues would wag.