LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 2

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Poaching of Players ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA AGREEMENT. SYDNEY, May 11. The three years’ ban on poaching of players us between England and Australasia is likely to come into force at an early date. Following a meeting of the Rugby Football League (England) on December 22, draft of the proposed agreement has been forwarded to Australia and New Zealand. Last night the New South Wales Rugby League decided to send the agreement to the Board of Control of immediate consideration. Terms of the agreement, which it is intended will remain in force until December, 1940, except from the ban Australian or New Zealand players who have fulfilled two'years’ continuous residence in England and vice-versa. Main clause is that no English ciur will be allowed to register a player who has played first or second grade in Australia or New Zealand. INTERCHANGE OF REFEREES. Newcastle Rugby League’s request for an interchange of first-grade referees evoked considerable discussion, mainly on the question of expense. Several delegates referred to the poor standard of refereeing in the metropolitan area. Canterbury delegate Frank Miller said it might be that a referee from the country would be found capable of handling the big games. Country secretary Tom English proposed that the scheme be tried

for a month at no cost to the New South Wales Ruby League. Despite the fact that, the Referees'

Association recommended that no action be taken, the resolution was carried on the voices.