NEW ZEALAND CRICKET COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1914, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND CRICKET COUNCIL

: «P.. ■ — .. .-..- NEW ZEALAND'S VISIT TO AUS TRALIA.

CRITICISMS CONSIDERHD

(Per United Press .Association.)

- CHRISTCHURCH, March 21. A, special meeting of the management committee- -bf.. thp -New Zealand Cricket Council, was held to-night to <ipnsider criticisms and atatiements that had been made by the variouo associations with regard to the recent visit of the New ZfiLihd team to Australia. Piartlcular exception was taken hj fiorhe statements published m tnt Auckland "Herald" of 14th. inst. in which the methods of the Council were severely dealt with. The article particularly critVJsed the balance sheet of the tour and the items of expendi tur.e. . ' . • Thet Chairman -(IM. G. F. Francis) •iaid.the meeting had been called" lo consider whether the committee would reply to the published statements. A sub-committee had been set up to frame a reply but the Council would havfe to decide what steps to take m thej.'. matter; ■ • ' The secretary read the reply drawn up.^'by" the -sub-cotnmittee which reierrea" hi' particular" to Auckland affairs. The Chairman said he thought : they should not assume that tbe Aucklandassociation were responsible lor the in formation. : it was resolved that copies ol the I reply be sent to; the Auckland Asso ciation and to the Auckland Heraid. This course was agreed upon. ,It. was decided that the following communication should be sent to each guaranteeing association: "There has been some misunderstanding among a number of the associations as to the reason for the expenses of the tour of the New Zealand team to Austra Ha exceding the The managemen. committee think it right therefore 'jthat an explanation should be given the associations. When the -tour -was first proposed it was assumed that it would not last l C"ger than six weeks. . It was found, however, that if the; South Australian match was. included; ;the^ tour could not he ;complete.d^under- ■eight weeks, thus adding considerably: to the. expense. The quarteriy; :^ni.eeting;.of the Cour <il" was emplia.t'j.|^iri:'. its opinion tha' vbo South • Australian match shoul:. be played especially in view of the Councl's aim of. years past to arrange '•effular annual tours in New Zealand from the , Souti\^; :i Australia, ' Victoria, New South \\%Tes and Quensland ' teams. In the next place the team was travelling in Australia during Christmas weekend the iweek lafter and on account'; of the railway regv lations relating. t 0 Christmas travel!ing no - concession; in fares >we re allowed. The difff^ertce from the ori-g-inal estimates and fail fares and th" actual amount spent . was considei able and other items for ground mea .-.tiendants etc., were charg-ed for which could not have been foreseen before the team, left New Zealand. 1 These charges are usual, and were re cognised by all teams playing- on the big- grounds in Austraia. They an not in the, naturp of tips. The Ke\\ Zealand team paid, less than most in te; stafe teams. Further it was proposed to clay two matches i» New Zealand before the team left and die recepits from these two notches were inclucl ed in the estimates uf' receipts. ... T-ht; disorganisation caused by the strike presented either of.' these two matches being, played, 'tri fact it was only with extreme, difficult- vthat J He tcarr was got awa^.^at all. „ . . -' ' ; There had been. . some criticism ol the items /'players ,, allowance" but this criticism overli-dved the rule of the Council dealme. with this particular question. . .... - ' 'i'he Council under its rules is bound to reimburse players for loss of wages; In the case of the New , Zealand *-o\ir to Australia in 1899 : and all New .Zealand matches since, that date players have bee.i". reimbursed, by ? the Council ior lOSS. Of .Wag C*-:..: ■..;;-- ■..';■ >..•.._•.• : According- to the -duty which -is upoi the Council. -by virtue. -of -its own ruleii the Council feel hwyeverj that it. could «vot. afford to r>ay the nlaytirs lo.ss of during" the^^jyhole . ,-of • the : last tour, instead.' ...tj^/spmmittee decjded t«.. make a special ■ allowance: to thp players to pay the.ro. 5s a day . In lieu o*' loss of wages. The ..a-Tfangfimerti was accepted by all the players.. From tbe Council's point .of view this vya-; the, best bargain that be made, under ■ the circumstances. Whatever, the ciiin ion .members of the commit *ec may -.'undoubtedlv havfc. had con-t-crriing the • propriety or making: ai•owance : to the- nlayers -the committee rir> a body could not .disregard -one ,nf its own rules while , it •remained in the vnlo book.' We miffht also, add 'thaKhia arrangement >vas confirmed bv^ :v meeting of the dciegates."' • ■ ■