PROFESSIONAL RUGBY TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13454, 3 June 1907, Page 5

PROFESSIONAL RUGBY TEAM.

MATCHES ARRANGED FOR. DEPOSIT OF £3000. By Telegraph —Pre** Association.—Copyright. (Received Jane 2, 4.36 p m.) London, June 1. The Northern Rugby Union has com pleted arrangements for 27 matches against the New Zealand professional team, and has deposited in « 'bank £3000 to meet the expenses oi the team. . , J ~~~ A VICTORIAN PROPOSAL. ' The Finance Committee of tho Victorian Football League baa had under consider* jtion for some time the question of tin ! balance-sheets of tho various clubs. A pr< forma balance-sheet, to which all clubs hac to conform, was prepared, under which at balance-sheets have to bo presented to tin league. The rule ou tho subject provide! that in the balance-sheet presented to th< league, "items of expenditure exccedinj £10 shall be set forth in detail." Not withstanding this, the balance-sheets pub lished in March and April of this yeai showed the same large expenditure foi "training expenses," "travelling expenses,' "players' refreshments," * l boots and uni forms," as in the past. Occasionally, when it has been possib'.< to peep behind the scenes, it has been ap parent that "expenses to player?" is are markabiy elastic term. It has been estab lished beyond doubt that a man brought from the country, or elsewhere, to a bille' in Melbourne, where his wages would be say, £2 a week, was having such wage! subsidised by some of the cluus to the ex tent of £1 or £1 10s per week, the amoun provided by the club being allowed for un der one of the heads, "player's," travel ling," or "training expenses." In orde to put a stop to this veiled form of pro fessionalism, the Victorian Football Asso ciation has suggested that only actual ex penses should be allowed, and that the sub sidising fee should be set apart in a eepa rate fund, to be given to players on thei retirement from the game as- a farewel bonus. The Victorian Football League, however through its Finance Committee, is beini asked to go further than this even. ' A re gulation has been passed that the secretar; and treasurer of each league club shall bl compelled to furnish a statement, showini what money has been paid to each playc for expenses. A suggestion is now befon the Finance Committee -which is sure t< bo keenly discussed, and will be far-roach ing. It is that the secretary and treasure of each club should certify, by etatutor; declaration, to the accuracy of the balance sheet, and furnish a further statement, als on oath, that no player has received an; money, either directly or indirectly, for hi services.