AMATEURS WHO TAKE MONEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15003, 27 May 1912, Page 8

AMATEURS WHO TAKE MONEY

STATEMENT BY G. GILLETT.

•A charge regarding the administration of amateur Rugby was made in Wellington on Friday evening by Mr. G. GiUett (Northern League organiser) in the course of a speech delivered at the meeting called for the purpose of forming a Wellington Provincial Rugby League. Mr. Gi'lett is known to most followers of football as a member of the celebrated All-Black team, and a prominent Auckland) player. "Most prominent players," he is re->* ported as saying, in speaking of the amateur game, " have received money, and will go On receiving money underneath the table. I say if they are going to pay, why not do it on top of the table, where everyone can see it, and let all be treated alike. L have had my share. (Laughter.) I had one season of it. When I set my foot down! and eaid I was going to have a dertaia" amount or stop playing, an amount was sent, along, perhapß not so much as I expected. "I have nothing against the Rugby game," continued Mr. Gillett, "or against the men who play it, biit I have something against the people who legislate for it. When, prominent men in- the union say that they are not going to cater either for the public or the player, it is time that eomobody should come along who will consider them. The league will consider the player and consider the public, and I don't' think it ever intends to carry forward a balance-sheet of £115,000." (Applause.) •' ■'•■