GROWTH OF RUGBY

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 115, 11 April 1930, Page 2

GROWTH OF RUGBY

NEW ZEALAND TOUR. COMING TOUR OF BRITISH TEAM. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 10. In liis presidential address at the opening of the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union this afternoon Mr A. A. Adams (West Coast) referred to tho growth of the game in Australia where, after 15 years, the All Blacks played a match against Australia, and the Commonwealth team was to be congratulated on winning the rubber. In New Zealand the game was continuing in its popularity and the parent body was performing useful service in lending money to the unions at a low rate of interest to assist in the purchase and improvement of grounds. Unfortunately, some unions were behind in their payments and in not carrying out the terms of the mortgage were doing an injustice to other unions desiring loans. The finances of tho union were in a sound condition and a profit of £616 4s had been made on the year’s workings. The outstanding feature this year would be the first for 26 years. It was regretted that Scotland had only one representative in the team and the attitude of the Scottish Union to overseas teams was hard to understand. It was hoped that the home unions would have agreed to a conference on the rules and other international matters during the forthcoming tour, but apparently they were not favourably inclined to the suggestion. Invitations had been sent to other overseas unions and up to the present Canada and Australia had accepted. No reply yet had been received from South Africa. He hoped that they would give careful consideration to the question of broadcasting the matches.