RUGBY REFEREES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 102, 30 March 1929, Page 10

RUGBY REFEREES

ANNUAL MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association was held in the Manawatu A and P. buildings at the Showgrounds this morning, the president (Mr D. McKenzie) Being in the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet, already published, wero taken as read. In moving their adoption, the chairman stated that their relations during the past year with the New Zfealand Rugby Union had been most happy. He did not intend to again accept nomination this year for the office of president. He had been president since 1915 and felt that the time had now come when the office should be a movable one. Every year a remit was moved by the Auckland delegates that the association’s headquarters be moved from Wellington. Possibly if the speaker were no longer president, Auckland would feel that control was less centred in Wellington and would not feel it incumbent to again urge that headquarters be moved. A matter that tne delegates would need to consider was having country members on the executive, as tho expense of bringing them in from the country was fairly heavy. The balance-sheet was very satisfactory. They had started the year with considerable liabilities; principally incurred owing to the cost of printing the handbooks, but had greatly improved their position. Mr J. H. Lvnskey (King Country) seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

PLACING BALL IN SCRUMMAGE. Mr L. Kronfield, on behalf of the Auckland Association, moved: 1 ‘That the referee place the ball in the scrummage on all occasions.” In speaking to the motion, Mr Kronfield stated that a clever wingforward could throw tho ball in such a manner as to givo an advantage to his side. A wing-forward could throw the ball in with a twist and it would be fairer if the referee handled the Tiio motion was seconded by Mr Marshall (Waikato). Mr Hollander (Canterbury) stated that his association had considered the matter and opposed the motion as they were of the opinion that the referee should handle the halloas little as possible. He was there to control the game, not take jiart in it. Mr C. White (Manawatu) also opposed the motion. If the ball were thrown unfairly the referee • should blow the whistle and have the ball put in again. Mr Lvnskey moved ns an amendment that the words ‘‘where possible” be added after the Avoid "occasions.” The president stated that the Avhole discussion tended to assume that the wing forward was not honest. Personally, he preferred to believe that the players Avere as honest as the referee. If the present motion wore rejected, would tho Auckland delegate go back and tell his association that the practice was illegal? Uniformity Avas Avanted throughout NeAv Zealand and he would like Auckland to drop the practice if the motion Avere rejected. Replying, Mr Kronfield stated that the handbook printed by permission of the English Rugby Union contained nothing to say that the referee shotild not ;put the ball in the scrum.' The Auckland Union, the largest in NeAv Zealand, and having se\’eral hundred more players than any other union, had had the referee putting the ball in the scrum for years past. They believed it to be the best.

The amendment was then (put and lost on the voices.

The motion was put and lost on a show of hands by ten votes to thirteen. VENUE OF HEADQUARTERS. Mr L. Kronfield, on behalf of the Auckland Association, moved: —“That headquarters of the New Zealand Referees’ Association be removed from Wellington.” Mr Kronfield first of all made it plain that for Mr McKenzie, the president, they had the greatest possible respect. No association realised more clearly than Auckland the value of his services to the game. At the same time, Auckland thought that it would increase interest if the headquarters were changed from time to time. By always meeting in one place, the executive might possibly tend to became stereotyped, but if the headquarters were moved, new ideas might come from the town where they met. He earnestly commended the motion to tho attention of members. At least one member of the executive was also a member of the New Zealand Rugby Union. In the speaker’s opinion this was unsatisfactory as no man could serve two masters. The motion was seconded by Mr Hollander (Canterbury). Mr C. White (Manawatu) opposed any chiinge, as he was of the opinion that the referees’ executive should meet where the New Zealand Rugby Union met. , Messrs Sievers (Rotorua), Marshall (Waikato) and Webster (Marlborough) also opposed the change on similar grounds. Replying, Mr Kronfield stressed that, if the executive met in different places, each association where it met would outvie the others in activity and considerable good should result. On-being put, the motion was lost by fdur votes to twenty. VOTING STRENGTH.

On behalfj of the Canterbury Association, Mr Hollander moved: “That at future conferences and meetings the voting strength of affiliated associations shall be based upon the active strength of such associations according to the following scale : —Membership of not less than 10 nor more than 20, 1 vote; not less than 21 nor more than 40, 2 votes; not less than 41 nor more than 60, 3 votes; more than 61, 4 votes. The numerical strength of the asso-, ciations shall be confirmed by the Rugby U.nions controlling such associations. Mr Webkter (Marlborough) seconded the motion. Mr White (Manawatu) opposed the motion 011 the ground that it tended to subject the interstes of the smaller associations to the larger. The chairman was against the motion as the four larger associations— Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin —could combine together and outvote sixteen minor associations. Mr Holland disclaimed any ulterior motive. ' , , ~ The motion was lost on the voices.

CIVIC WELCOME. The delegates attending tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Referees’ Association were tendered a civic welcome this morning by the Mayor, Mr A. J. Graham. In introducing Mr Graham, who wob received with applause Mr *D. McKenzie, president of the association, mentioned that this wa* the second 00oasion on whioh they had beon honoured by a Mayoral reception, J Mr Graham stated that it gave him vory great pleasure to extend a welcome to the president and delegates, He reoognised that tho referees were

there to promote the ■ general good of •the great national game of Rugby. He also recognised that they Avere experts in Rugby IaAV, men avlio had been through the game themselves and kneAv its every phase. Time Avas Avlien ManaAvatu produced some Rugby giants. Not so many years ago, ManaAvlienua had given the touring Springbok team the fright of their lives. Perhaps the district no longer played such a prominent standard of Rugby, but he Avas pleased to be able to say that thoso connected with the game had a duo sense of their respqnsibility Avhether as players or administrators, and not the least active Avere the referees. He felt sure that the time was not far distance when NeAv Zealand Avill be the acknoAvledged premier Rugby nation of the Avorld. ToAvards that consummation, the referees Avere doing their full share. He hoped that the game AA-ould have a place in the hearts and homes of the people, such as befitted a true national game. The referees gathered together not for the limelight, but for the good of the game. He again extended to them a welcome to Palmerston North, almost a city, and hoped that on some future occasion they Avould again come to this toAvn for their conference. Should delegates care to take a trip around the environs of the city, lie would be pleased to arrange the necessary transport. In thanking Mr Graham for liis Avelcome, Mr McKenzie stated that Palmerston North Avere fortunate in having a Mayor so interested in his city. He also took a keen interest in other than municipal activities, as Avas shoAvn by his interest in the doings of the referees. It Avas undoubted that in days gone by Palmerston North had produced- some of the finest footballers in the Dominion-

It was arranged for delegates to go on a motor tour of the environs of the toAvn this afternoon.