FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 30 May 1919, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES.

(by telegbaph—press association. )

WELLINGTON, May 29. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night the secretary reported that he had communicated with the English Union regarding the laws of the game, but had received no reply. Mr Ohlson (Auckland) then moved to amend rule 2 by substituting the words: "But may make such modifications as, may be deemed desirable5 in the interests oP.the game" * for "As from time to time fixed by that body." A lengthy discussion took place, on the question of whether the carrying of the motion would nieah severance from the English Union. Eventually the motion/was lost by 20 votes to 24. The proposed 'amendments to the laws of the game were considered. A motion to abolish the wing forward was carried by 23 votes to 21. A proposal that absolute free kicks and kicks at goal from penalties and tries should be absolutely free from charge was defeated on the 'casting vote of the chairman.

It was unanimously agreed that the referee should be allowed to put the ball into.the scrum. A motion providing for the modification of the law governing kicking into touch otherwise than from a kick-off or line-out was lost, and .a proposal that the advantage rule should apply to line-out play was adopted. ' Mr Ohlson moved that delegates should be asked to bring before their unions the amendments which were agreed upon, with a view to having them adopted in their local fixtures. The chairman explained that before the amendments could be approved finally for all competitions they, would have to receive the approval of the English Union, ' > * An amendment that before the alterations agreed to were played they should receive the assent of the English Rugby Union was rejected by 24 votes to 19, and a further amendment that the recommendations be not put into force,until 1920 was also lost. The motion was carried on the voices.