PROVIDING REFEREES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 215, 9 August 1940, Page 10

PROVIDING REFEREES.

NEW BODY FORMED. As a sequel to the recent dispute between the Manawatu. Rugby Union and the Manawatu Referees’ Association, as the result of which the latter body went into recess, the union called a meeting last evening at which a new Referees’ Association was formed. Prior to the meeting, eight members of the former Referees’ Association met to decide what attitude they would take up, Mr E. Low presiding. The following resolution was carried: “That owing to the non-representative attendance of members of the former Referees’ Association, no action be taken.” It was explained that 18 active members were present at the recent meeting at which the former Referees Association resolved to go into recess

At the second meeting last evening. Mr K. AV. Eglinton was appointed to the chair. Pie said that as nothing had been done to resurrect the old association the Rugby Union had no alternative but to have a new Referees’ Association formed. Mr T. Doherty then moved, and Mr P. 0. Skoglund seconded, a motion that a new association be formed. In reply to Mr Doherty, the chairman said any members of the old association who desired to do so could join the new organisation. “Old members are not entitled to join unless they get an invitation from the new' association,” said Air Doherty “They have fallen down on their jobs. ’ Mr Eglinton explained that the referees present were there as indiviciuals, not as the old association. There was nothing to prevent anyone present from joining the new association. Mr P. 0. Skoglund; 1 am glad to see the old referees here, and hope they will stick by ns. Mr G. A. Brown, secretary of the Rugby Union, said there was a section or the former referees who desired to carry on refereeing, but out of loyalty to their association they had stood by its decision." Now they were willing to act under the new association. The resolution was then carried. On the motion of Mr Skoglund, it was decided that membership be open to non-active as well as active members and to all qualified persons whether members of the old association or not, and that election be by ballot. Mr Doherty said he understood some 40 or 50 names had been handed in as members, the chairman replying that these persons would be communicated with and were eligible to become members. , , r The following agreed to act: Messrs Skoglund, C. Eglinton, H. Shearman, L. Heatlcy, It. Foster, Doherty, B. Trow L. Jamieson, E. Jackson and It. York. The chairman stated that they were there for the good ot football and if some of the referees present reconsidered their decision they would be welcomed in the new association. Pie urged them to take no notice of any remarks made i.n the heat of the moment. It was very unfortunate lor' Rugbv that tho dispute had arisen. “Yfe have something bigger than this on,” lie added. “Many of our players aro going overseas, and many are there, and anything we can do to carry on the game in their absence should he done.” A temporary appointment board comprising Messrs Skoglund, Eglinton and Trow was set up to appoint referees for to-morrow’s matches, and it was decided to call a meeting for next week of all referees willing to act.