RUGBY UNION'S PROTEST

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1915, Page 6

RUGBY UNION'S PROTEST

(To the Editor.) ' s ir, — Having taken an active interest in the nclnriiiistrution of liugby Union football for many years past as members of the West Const Itugby Union, we fee I that it is our bcunden duty to draw the attention of players and public alike to the attempt now being made to kill the Kugby Union game on the Wo.st Const. When the whole facts are brought to the light of day a state of things will be revealed which will net redound to the credit of those concerned in one of the most sordid actions which has ever disgraced our national game. The West Coast Rugby Union lias now been in existence for twenty-live years, and hitherto it has always maintained its good name in the eyes of the governing body of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and we cannot stand idly by and see the go"<3 xiame of the gami 1 , and of the West Coast Rugby Union traduced and dragged in the mud without making an emphatic protest. As most pix.ple are aware, an attempt is being made to introduce the Rugby League game on the West Coast. Now, we are not at present concerned with the merits or otherwise of the League game. There is only one problem confronting all of us at the present time — but we are deeply concerned Avith the methods used, and the following are a few salient points wbich will be duly enlarged upon at next Tuesday j evening's public meeting: — (1) We are pleased to be able to say that football on the West Coast is at a low ebb this year Because the cream of our players are at the post of honour. (2) When thus weakened our game is attacked by a hostile League, heralded by a gentleman who, if he had even the instincts of a sportsman, would have seen at once that it was jjositively indecent and cowardly to attack a game which had' been weakened by the cause shown above. What a sight to enthuse over! A team of able-bodied young men parading the country playing exhibition games at a time when the Empire is involved in a struggle to the death — and at the same time stabbing a game, the best of whose jilayers are -away lighting their country's battles. Is this sport? or is it the new brand of fair play "made in Germany?" (3) All this is bad euo\igh in all conscience, but the worst is to come. The then President (Mr C. Nissen) of tho West Coast Rugby Union presided at a Rugby Union meeting, on Tuesday, May 25th, and he declaimed about the hostile game and the means of combatting it, and on Monday, .Tune 1 (less than a week later) h (; is found holding forth at a meeting as an upholder of the hostile code, and with him a vicepresident (Mr A. Behan) of the Rugby Union, both of whom had not even sent in their resignations to the Union, tho interests of which they bad thus be-

trnyi'd. And these gentlemen talked about advancing tho interests o.f sport! Words fail us. (4) In the light of what lias taken place can any self-respecting player, in the full knowledge of such happenings, and at the present juncture, throw in )iiV; lot with the League game in Oreymoutli? In conclusion, we would respectfully ask all players to refrain from any precipitate, action until they have heard the whole position fully discussed on a public platform at the meeting which will be held at the Town Hall next Tuesday evening. —We are .etc., D. Me KAY. J. W. McBKEARTY. J. HTENHOUSE. J. F. WILSON. A. J. FRASEfi. W. FLYNN. F. C. WADE. J. HEFFERNAN.