RUGBY CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 121, 23 April 1936, Page 2

RUGBY CONFERENCE.

QUESTION OF TOURS Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, April 22. At the annual meeting, the New Zealand Rugby Union appointed Hon. J. McLeod chairman, the presidential chair being vacant owing to the death of Mr D. M. Stuart.

.Mr McLeod spoke of the recent tour of Britain and the University team’s visit to Japan, and said that the year had widened the scope of Rugby and they could look forward to the days ahead as likely to bring even greater interest in the game. Mr S. S. Dean, in response to a question, assured Mr Maddison (Hawke’s Bay) that a visit from Japan was a distinct possibility, and there was also under consideration a visit from Canada.

Mr Prendeville (Wellington) said tlia't, while not wishing to strike a discordant note, he would urge that the New Zealand authorities should pause and consider before extending the programme of tours. At present New Zealand had Great Britain, South Africa and Australia its foes, and there was great difficulty in fitting in tours. Care should be taken not to upset club and provincial football by having extra tours. There was no doubt that local football was upset by tours. South Africa luul been most emphatic in having a clear season between tours and visits. FUTURE PROPOSALS. Arrangements for future tours. as planned by the conference in London, were the subject of mention by Mr Dean, who said it had taken a considerable thought and time to work out a scheme suitable to all parties. The programme, as set out in the annual report, would enable countries to know where they stood in regard to tours for the next twelve years, and he would strongly recommend its adoption. NORTH v. SOUTH. In regard to the North Island versus South match, it was decided to endorse the suggestion that it be played at Christchurch on August 15. Several delegates expressed a decided view that the North v. South match should be regarded as a trial and be played a week before New Zealand’s Test match, the team to be kept together for a full week. AUSTRALIAN TOUR. Mr Dean announced that the Australian team’s tour would take place a week later than planned to fit in with the steamer sailings, the team arriving at Auckland on August 17. The dates of the matches would be : Auckland, August 22; Wanganui, August 25; Hawke’s Bay. August 29; Wairarapa, September 2; New Zealand, at Wellington, September 5; North Otago, September 9; New Zealand, at Dunedin, September 12; Southland. September 16; Canterbury, September 19.

The Maoris will be played at Palmerston North on September 23, the team leaving for Australia on September 24.

Mr Dean expressed the view that the unions missed out on this occasion would look ahead. There was a visit from South Africa next year. Replying to Mr Harris (Dunedin), who said the opinion was held in Otago that the visits between New Zealand and Australia should be curtailed, Mr Dean said there had been some curtailment 'in recent years. However, New Zealand was under a moral obligation to Australia, and there was the point to be considered that New Zealand was going to be somewhat isolated if it lost Australia.