ASSOCIATION CODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19716, 16 August 1927, Page 14

ASSOCIATION CODE.

AUCKLAND'S GOOD PROSPECT

THE SCHOOLBOY TOURNEY.

TROUBLES OF THE REFEREES.

Any doubts as to whether Auckland would be able to field a team up to last year's standard must have been dispelled by the representatives' display against Wellington on Saturday. In view of the high praise bestowed on the visitors by the Canadians it was only natural that local faith in the Aucklanders should be tinged with apprehension, but the match now over was most convincing in proving the merit of the home side. Never has the playing surface been muddier. These conditions were probably more disconcerting to the Wellington players than to the Aucklanders, who must be used to "mud-larking" by now, but judging by Saturday's game, Auckland would have won just as easily on a dry ground. Auckland's touring combination will leave for the South on August 31, playing Otago in Dunedin on September 3 and Canterbury in Christchurch on September 10. Timaru has applied for a game with the Aucklanders and it is probable that the request will be grantedAuckland has a great chance of retaining the Football Association Trophy. Next Saturday's attraction at Blandford Park will probably be a Chatham Cup semi-final between Auckland and North Auckland. The winners of this contest will visit the Waikato to play South Auckland. Club games will be continued as usual on Saturday. Great interest ba3 been aroused among the business houses of the city by the annual competition for the Farmers' Trading Company Cup, which opens tomorrow. About a dozen teams have entered this season, and it will be necessary to decide the tournament in two grades. Schoolboys' Tournament. / In the schoolboy world the great event is the forthcoming Dominion tourney in Auckland, commencing on August 31. The best talent from the primary and secondary schools will be assembled for the tourney and an international element will be introduced by the Australian schoolboys' team, which will shortly commence its Dominion tour. Auckland's representatives have already been chosen and will commence practice tomorrow under the able supervision of Sergeant-Major Odey. When North Shore takes the field on Saturday Baxter will probably be back in his place at centre-half. He is due back from the South Seas this week cn the Diomede. During the last few matches at Blandford Park vexatious interruption has been caused by an individual on the terraces blowing a whistle and deceiving the players into the belief that the referee has discovered some breach of the rules. When the Canadians played Auckland the referee, Mr. Dawson, frequently had to contend with this foolish prank, and at times the players were in a quandary, especially when they heard a whistle and were told by th& referee to carry on. Again, on Saturday, Mr. Parkinson had the same trouble. It is a wonder that the self-appointed referee has been tolerated by the spectators around him. The association rightly takes a very serious view of the matter and has decided to take action if the interruption is carried any further. Suggested Fee for Referees. The question of remunerating referees for their services on Saturdays was again discussed at a special meeting of referees in Wellington last week. The meeting was convened for the purpose of considering the failure of certain referees to fulfil their engagements, and it was stated that many men sent in lastminute excuses that they would not be able to officiate that day. When it was suggested that teachers in the primary or secondary schools should approached it w|is mentioned that the majority of these potential referees favoured another code of football. Mr. A. E. Caisley said football was going ahead in Wellington, but was refereeing improving at the same rate? He would like to suggest that referees should be paid for their services. In favouring the proposal another member said that some seasons ago the Hospital Club had offered to find 10s every Saturday for a referee. Other referees present were also in favour of a fee being paid. Mr. O'Connell said the Referees' Association executive had asked old players to take the whistle, and the reply had been, "No good to me, too much abuse." Mr. O'Connell pointed out that the attendances at the referees' meetings, where instruction was always given, were unsatisfactory. Sarcastic remarks made by players on and off the field had a great deal to do with the non-attendance of some referees. Abuse from the line also stopped many men from taking games. In 14 years' experience he bad never known such a disappointing season as this season, as far a3 the New Zealand Referees' Association was concerned After further consideration a committee was set up to go into the whole question of refereeing. Referee's Position Strengthened. When the British season begins again there will be practically no other alterations of the rules to interpret. Although the powers of the referee have been strengthened by a footnote to Law 13 making foul or abusive language to the "presiding official," tantamount to "violent conduct," for which a man can be ordered off the field without warning. This rule was prompted by the Welsh Association. "It is not aimed at the first-class player, who, whatever his faults, never comes into personal conflict with the referees," an English writer states. "In minor football things are very different, and if the blue-blooded amateur saw a few of the 'charge sheets' concerning his fellow amateurs he would have a much higher opinion of the professional player than is sometimes the case. Friends who sit in judgment of the offenders tell me the majority of the offenders are truly sorry and rarely give further trouble At the same time it seems a pity such a lot of unruly Soccer is played; otherwise a great national association would not suggest such a foot- I note te> the International Board." 1