FOOTBALL CONTROVERSY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 11

FOOTBALL CONTROVERSY

LEGAL ACTION PREDICTED.

RANFURLY SHIELD RIVALRY.

DECISION NOT ACCEPTED.

HAWKE'S BAY UNION'S ATTITUDE

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The decision of the New Zealand Rugby Union upholding the Wairarapa Union's protest against the inclusion of W. Barclay in the Hawke's Bay team in the recent Ranfurly Shield match and awarding tho match to Wairarapa is to be tested in the Supreme Court by the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, according to a statement made by the Hawke's Bay delegate, Mr. N. McKenzie, at the meeting of the New Zealand Union Management Committee. After the motion upholding tho protest, and in effect depriving Hawke's Bay of tho shield, had been moved by tho chairman, Mr. S. S. Dean, Mr. N. McKenzie asked what was the penalty under the rules of the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Chairman: The Management Committee has power to deal with any matters in any way it thinks fit. Mr. McKenzie: The union is disobeying the rules of the New Zealand Union and may be suspended from membership or may be expelled. Opening a Wide Field. The Chairman: What bearing has this on the matter? Mr. McKenzie: We are disobeying a rule of the New Zealand Union. Mr. H. Lcith: You are not disobeying it. You broke it. Mr. McKenzie: What's tho difference ? Mr. E. Wylie: You erred in ignorance. Mr. McKenzie: We disobeyed. Mr. Leith: You have broken it in ignorance, and you must pay the penalty for it. Mr. McKenzie: We will not be the only ones to pay for it. This will open a wide field. Mr. W. Hornig said it was clear the New Zealand Union would have to appoint a sub-committee • to see that the rules of affiliated unions coincided with those of the parent body. Mr. McKenzie: Our rules were passed by the New Zealand Union. Mr. C. L. Mullany: I am still satisfied that Barclay was a permanent resident from the date of his returning to Napier. Supreme Court Ruling Wanted. Mi*. A. C. Kitto: Has Hawke's Bay the right now to challenge for the shield ? Mr. Dean: That is a question for this union. Mr. Leith: Our rules say that no union shall challenge for the shield more than once in a season. Mr. Fletcher: What right of appeal is there against this decision ? The Chairman: They can go to the Appeal Council. Mr. McKenzie: You need not be afraid that we will challenge for the shield. I would like to know, though, what is to become of all the gate money that was taken on July 9. The motion was carried, only Mr. Mullany voting against it. "I can now inform you," said Mr. McKenzie, "that we will lodge an application for an injunction against your decision and obtain a ruling from the Supreme Qourt on the matter. Until that is settled the shield stays where it is." Mr. Dean: We will decide that later

Mr. Wylie: You will have to exhaust your appeal under this union first.