GATE FREE GAMES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2693, 11 July 1923, Page 4

GATE FREE GAMES.

AT WANGANUI COLLEGE MATCH. MANAWATU UNION RESCINDS RESOLUTION. A resolution was carried at the last meeting of the Manawatu Rugby Union agreeing - to a match with Wanganui College on the condition that no gate money was charged. At last night's meeting, the president (Mr A. M. Ongloyj brought the matter up again. He said that it had I given him a good deal of food for I thought. The Union might have accepted it as a principle, without I thoroughly discussing it. The infer - i enec whs that it was degrading to play j tor gate money, or else it was degrading fur wOllegQ boys to play in I public ..here gate money was charged. | .Neither the English cricketer nor the British University footballers found iit in any way degrading. Again, there I was the contention that the boys felt themselves to Lo "gladiators." He could not see /hat it would be any more a gladiatorial display because admission was cnarged and there was control over the ctowd, than if nothing was charged and there was no control. Also the fact that some schools could afford to travel without the assistance of gate money and others could not, would make an undesirable class distinction. He gave notice of motion that the resolution carried at the last meeting, agreeing to the Wanganui College's stipulation, be rescinded. Mr Hannay agreed with the chairman. He thought the motion had been carried, because the committee \,anted to have the match played in Palmerston North. On the morion of Mr Hannay, it was decided t.iat the Wanganui Union be writfct to drawing atioatian to the j stipulation of Wanganui College thac Ino charge bo made, a/id pointing out I that the Union had to pay ground rent ■ for all matches, suggesting that a charge bo nude, to ', •-: divided between the local prima, •> and technical schools, and asking that the Wanganui union interview the college authorities with a view to getting their sanction to a charge.