RUGBY CONTROL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2694, 12 July 1923, Page 4

RUGBY CONTROL.

COMING AUSTRALIAN TOUR. INCREASED GATE CHARGES CRITICISED. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Last Night. At the Rugby Union meeting tonight, the N.S.W. Council asked for permission to bring 28 players and amasseur. Permission was refused, and it was decided to adhere to the agreement for 27 players; a masseur was agreed to. The Council regretted its inability to extend the tour by two matches, as asked, owing to the difficulty of'players getting leave, and the unsuitability of the steamer arrangements. , The' Council also asked if the match against the Maoris could be substituted for that against Wairarapa and Bush Districts. This also was refused. Mr V. R. Meredith, the Auckland selector, advised his inability to attend the meeting of the Selection Committee at Wellington, and it was decided to ask Auckland to. make another nomination. The Horowhenua Union advised of the issue of a challenge to Hawke's Day for the Ranfurly Shield. A motion congratulating the Maori footballers on the way in which they upheld Rugby traditions, and thanking them for their line work in the Main Trunk disaster, was carried. "These Unions, although they demur about our cuarges, are not backward in claiming their 25 per cent," said Mr S. S. Dean, the chairman, when Otugo, Canterbury, and Auckland Unions protested at the Union's decision to increase the admission charge to matches of the N.S.W. team. During the discussion, Mr Dean stated that the tour would cost £SOOO at least. There were 27 men whose expenses were £2 per day for ten weeks, £SOO in boat fares, and the cost of assembling tho New'Zealand team, which was considerable. As a matter of fact, the tour would not cost a great deal legs than that of the Springboks. The only difference would be the distance between South Africa and Australia and Australia and New Zealand. In the case of the South Africans also, they had had £4OO profit from the Australian visit in hand when the team arrived here. Also, three Unions—Wanganui, Southland, and South Canterbury—had asked the New Zealand Union to increase the charges for the Maori matches. Mr Wylie: "After all, one can't get in a picture show nowadays in a decent seat for less than half-a-crown." The Union decided to pass the matter on to the Finance Committee for it to bring down a report to the next meeting.