CONTROL OF RUGBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 10 August 1927, Page 3

CONTROL OF RUGBY.

SHIELD PLAYERS ORDERED OFF

REFEREES’ PROTEST DISCUSSED

The findings of the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa Rugby Unions with reference to the ordering off of M. J. 'Brownlie and Q. Donald by the "referee, Mr. H. J. .McKenzie, in the Ranfurly Shield match played at Mastertou on. July 9, formed a subject for discussion at the weekly meeting of the South Taranaki Referees’ Association last evening, when a copy of a letter forwarded by the secretary of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association calling attention to the resolution of protest passed by the executive of the New Zealand Association was received from the Taranaici Association.

There were present at the meeting : Messrs A. H. Guy (chairman), L. H. Clapham, H. A. Iv. McNae, M. Bailey, and J. J. Goodwin (secretary). The chairman, who had been in attendance during the game, said lie would be quite prepared to let the matter rest as it stood, but the principle that the decision ol' a. referee should be upheld must be given serious consideration.

Air-. Clapham thought the findings should not be allowed to go unchallenged, as, besides exonerating the players, the reports had conveyed the impression that the referee had been at fault. It would be extremely unlikely that a referee with Mr. McKenzie’s knowledge oi the game would take the extreme measure without some cause, and when a referee had to take isuch a. course his action should lie upheld. In such a ease the complete exoneration of the player or players would tend to undermine the prestige of referees, particularly among the younger players, and would be detrimental to the interests of the code.

Mr. Goodwin considered that the question as to whether the protest of the New Zealand Executive should be supported was one for consideration jointly by the three divisions of Taranaki referees, and was not a matter for an individual expression of opinion bv the South Association.

This opinion met with general .approval, and on the motion of Messrs Bailey and McNae it was decided- t-o refer the letter back to the Tarantaki Association. The meeting was the final of the weekly series, and it was decided to hold a social evening at the usual meeting-piace on September 2. to mark the conclusion of the season’s assemblies. All referees and delegates from southern clubs are to be invited.,