NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 April 1927, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE

FRICTION AMONG TOURING TEAM THE RECENT INQUIRY Thus the Auckland "Stiir" oil the inquiry held Regarding the .conduct of certain ftehityers of»the touring English le»m : WHY THIS SILENCE? "When docs the New Zealand Rugby League propose to take the public, into its confidence regarding the punishment of several members of the team that recently toured Britain? It is a matter of very grave public interest, and by its failure to realise this aspect of the case the League has done a great deal to injure the reputation and the prospects.of the game which it controls. It in easy, to state the main facts of the case briefly and clearly. Seven members of the League team sent Home last

year were charged by the managers of the team with misconduct. The New Zealand Rugby League considered the reports of the managers—which have never been published—and held an inquiry—which was conducted in absolute jgecrpny—and then announced its decision.' Apparently its refusal to conduct a public inquiry is due to its reluctance to expose its players to public criticism and a desire to save the reputation of the game that it controls by suppressing evidence that may seem detrimental to it.

i Out of 26 players, only seven, we understand, were charged with misconduct. Why has nothing been done to exculpate publicly the large majority who remained loyal to their managers and the League? The public which supports the game here has a right to demand that it shall /be acquainted with all the facts, of the case and to know that the management of the League is not only willing and able to dispense even-handed justice, but to protect all its loyal members and to maintain its reputation and dignity as a powerful and influential athletic body. None or these objects can be achieved without a public inquiry."