MAORI RUGBY TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19383, 19 July 1926, Page 10

MAORI RUGBY TOUR.

POSITION STILL DOUBTFUL.

CHEQUE FOR PASSAGE STOPPED

DECISION EXPECTED TO-DAY.

[BX TSUSQRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Saturday.

The New Zealand Maori Rugby team's tour to France and England is by no means definite. In fact, there is a possibility that it may be called off. The notice that the passage money had been paid by the French Rugby Union to the shipping company in France has been cancelled. Further word is now being awaited, and the New Zealand Rugby Union hopes 'to come to a definite decision •it a special meeting to be held on Monday.

A cablegram has been received by the Prime Minister's office from the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London as follows Mr. C. J. Wray, the New Zealand Rugby Union's representative in England, states that the Paris agents of the French Rugby Union have telegraphed to the effect that new difficulties have arisen, and that payment has been stopped. It is presumed that this refers to the cheque for payment of the passage money to the shipping company. Mr. Wray telegraphed urgently to Paris yesterday, and is inquiring again to-day, but no reply has been Received. " In view of the great difficulty in making satisfactory financial arrangements, probably due to the present position of the franc, shall Mr. Wray cancel the tour, or do the Maoris contemplate an offer to finance the tour themselves ?"

A reply has been sent to the effect that the New Zealand Rugby Union advises that it is holding a special meeting at five o'clock on Monday afternoon, and that if no advice of the payment of the passage money is received by that time the tour of the Maori team may be cancelled. It is also. pointed out in the message that the team is assembling and is being outfitted. * Should the tour be cancelled it is unlikely that the match in Wellington next Wednesday will be affected.