THE DISTRICT SCHEME.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 117, 15 May 1909, Page 5

THE DISTRICT SCHEME.

toVthe editor

Sir.—l was very pleased to see that Mr George Griffiths is stirring himself with a view to obtaining a different basis of representation of clubs on the Marlborough Rugby Union. The present basis, whereby each club is represented by one delegate, is not by any means a just one. The counti-y clubs, representing about 100 players, have three delegates, whereas the town clubs, representing about 130 players,, have only two delegates. This practically means that any business before the Union can be settled by a minorityvote. At the same time, I consider; that Mr Griffiths's motion in its present form, is hardly suitable. For mstancej before the beginning of the season a club might easily anticipate being able to place, say, four teams in the field, which, under Mr Griffiths's proposal, would entitle it to be represented by four delegates at the Union's annual meeting; but when it came to getting the players out it might find that there were sufficient for three teams only. It will therefore be seen that this club-would havehad, at the annual meeting, one vote more than it was entitled to. The fairest representation,. I'consider, Jus that of allowing one delegate'to so many players, say one for every 25 or fraction thereof. It would, of course, be necessary for each club to forward to the annual meeting of the Union a certificate as to the number, of bona fide members "on its books., The representation to which clubs in Marlborough would then be entitled would be, roughly, as follows: — Opawa, 60 members, 3 delegates; Central, 70 members, 3 delegates; Awatere, 40., members, 2 delegates; Moutere, 40 members, 2 delegates- , Waitohi, 20 members, "1 delegate. The representation for the 130 town players would therefore be 6, and, tor Aie 100 country players 5, which would, without doubt, .be a more equitable arrangement than that now 'in force. Trusting that the matter will be fullydiscussed.—l am, etc.. EQUITY. Blenheim, 14th May, 1909.