RUGBY CONTROL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 December 1924, Page 5

RUGBY CONTROL.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

8Y CiBLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

LONDON, Dec. 13. , The Imperial Conference of the Home and Dominion Rugby Unions commenced tliis morning. During the luncheon adjournment Dr. Leonard Brown, who with Mr. A. C. • Wallace' ' represents New South Wales, informed the Australian Press Association that a substantial measure of the oversea proposals was’likely to be adopted: The Home unions were most considerate and sympathetic' toward the Dominion delegates. The secretary of the International Board has issued - a*, statement to .the. effect that the conference freely and frankly discussed the proposed alternations. It is pointed out that the conference has no legislative power and consequently reached no definite decisions. A further conference, presumably, will be called after the uuions have'considered the report. Delegates are not disposed to disclose the trend of the discussions, although Dominion representatives expressed, satisfaction at the attitude of the Home delegates towards what are regarded in the United Kingdom as radical reforms. Indications appear to point to substantial concessions in favour of the Dominion viewpoint. ~ The Daily Express, commenting on the five hours’ Rugby conference, says the colourless communique gives no idea, of Certain vital recommendation® which are to- be embodied in the report to the various unions. No explanation is given of this attitude of secrecy, but it is understood one of the reasons is that the Home representatives do not wish yet to make public that the proposals- for radical alterations in the laws of the (r ame as proposed by New Zealand and & New South Wales, were agreed to while the conference no legislative power. Probably the final opinions sooner or tc I li. Wl em P^ as i- se d in new laws, ir the Home representatives have agreed that the laws should be adopted materially, it is difficult to understand. their reluctance to make the fact public.

Mr. Rowland Hill presided at the conference. Representatives of the tour Home unions were present together with Messrs. S Wilson' S Dean (New Zealand!. Dr. Brown’, A' U Wallace (New South Wales') V Cartwright and R. Fitzgerald (South