No Rugby Amalgamation

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 8

No Rugby Amalgamation

WAIRARAPA AND BUSH UNIONS Per Press Association. CARTERTON, April 4. Although it was generally agreed that the standard of football had been weak and that something drastic was necessary to improve it, a notice of motion that the Wairarapa union should amalgamate with the Bush union was rejected at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union last night. Mr H. K. Saunders, who moved the notice of mot.on, said that they were faced with either increasing the number of clubs or with strengthening representative football. Mr F. Morton said he was very much against the suggestion, which would mean that the Wairarapa union would lose its identity. Each union had its own traditions, and he did not see that the scheme before them would benefit football in the Wairarapa in the slightest degree. Mr M. Welch said Bush had previously turned the suggestion down. Mr E. McKenzie said that from the report of the New Zealand Rugby Union there seemed to be an intention to amalgamate various unions. The suggestion did not mean that Wairarapa clubs would play against Bush, said Mr Saunders, but that the unions would combine for major games. It was ridiculous for Wairarapa as at present constituted to play against Hawke’s Bay, Auckland or Wellington. If the two unions were brought in every player would have to do his best and would not fall into the representative team. One had only to go to Masterton to see what might be termed thirdgrade players wearing green blazers in anticipation of getting into the representative team. When put to the meeting the notice if. motion was easily defeated.