N.Z. Rugby Union And Council Of Sport

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1945, Page 9

N.Z. Rugby Union And Council Of Sport

“This seems to be the answer we sought in the first place. If they had sent this instead of waving a big stick it might have saved a lot. of argument,” said the chairman of the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union (Mr J. N. Millard) when a letter was received from the Council of the New Zealand Rugby Union outlining its reasons for requesting the Wellington Union to cancel its affiliation with the New Zealand Council of Sport. After a discussion it was decided to refer the ruling of the New Zealand council to the New Zealand Appeal Board. “Whatever is their decision, we will cheerfully accept it,” said Mr Millard. A letter from the New Zealand Rugby Union dealing with the subject stated: OBJECTS CONFLICT “We would remind you that on November 8, 1943, we circularised the unions advising that the council, after examining the constitution of the New Zealand Council of Sport, was of the opinion that as the object of the New Zealand Council of Sport is to further both amateur and professional sport, their constitution conflicts with ous, and therefore precludes this union from joining such a body. “The object of the New Zealand Rugby Union, inter alia, is to foster and control Rugby football throughout the* Dominion (by-law 3) and to join a body which fosters both amateur and professional sport conflicts with by-laws 2 and 3. “In the opinion l of your council the same objection applies to local unions joining provincial councils of sport, and if any further justification for action by your council is required, bylaw 29 empowers the council or exe-

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

cutive committee to determine any matter which may not be specifically provided for under any other by-law. BOUND BY RULES “All affiliated unions subscribe to, and are bound by, the rules of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and are therefore expected to give effect to the rulings of the council (which is the management committee of the union) which the by-laws empower them to make. “In the finar paragraph of our letter, the council made it clear that it favoured the formation of local associations for the promotion of physical welfare, but that does not mean that it approves of unions joining provincial councils of sport.” , Mr. Millard said he considered the decision of the appeal board would serve the best interests. There was room for a difference of opinion on the powers in the laws quoted. Mr. H. B. Simmons: We are allowed to appeal against the decisions of the N.Z.R.U. “LEAVE IT TO DELEGATES” Mr. Jackson urged that the matter be left to the decision of delegates at the annual meeting of the N.ZR.U. Mr. H. D. Morgan said he doubted the wisdom of sending the matter on to,the appeal board, as it would have to determine on the organisation of the Council of Sport and whether that conflicted with the N.Z.R.U. constitution.

The Council of Sport did cater for both amateur and professional bodies.

Mr. Millard remarked that the English Rugby Union had entered into agreements with the Football Association over certain matters, but that did not suggest that it_was fostering professional bodies.