ELOQUENCE OF FOOTBALL ORATORS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 August 1935, Page 14

ELOQUENCE OF FOOTBALL ORATORS

Change Over From Amateurism Can Never be Made in Rugby

In. Sydney at social functions connected with the visit of the two Victorian clubs’ teams playing Australian rules, and in Melbourne at the welcome to the Maoris’ Rugby Union team, the speakers talked about) the fairy idea of Australia developing from the two forms of football—Rugby and Australian Rules—one cede to be national.

change—and that would he a miracle —no amalgamation is ever likely to take place. With the Rugby Union the same bar is still stronger. And with it operates the unyielding amateurism of the code in every country. There never will be a blending of Australian Rules, as played in States where professionalism flourishes, and the Rugby Union.

This hardy, annual provides some of the orators of football with ammunition to fire their eloquence. But it means nothing. It never will mean anything while the international connection in Rugby and Soccer holds good and that means forever. The friendly spirit between officials of the rival football games, at their social events, is splendid. It should never weaken. It is conceivable that, as time wings on, the idea of an amalgamation will be brought forward again, and, perhaps, again, by people now young enough not to be closely conversant with similar moves or tactics in the past. The international connection is so strong with the Rugby League, that unless the English RI.L. agreed to

- Again, the Australian Rules is far too fine a game to warrant any drastic change. It can never be done. II the leaders were to amalgamate it with Rugby League, other organisations to carry on Australian Rules would be formed. The demand for them would'h-e insistent. It is a great game with a great bold in its own territories.

The amateur principle in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, is as unshiftable as are the Pyramids. The nomad in sport knows this. Still, the talk about it adds to the gaiety of sport. And that is not a bad thing, at times, when cricket Nestors are disposed to nod.