RUGBY GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 10

RUGBY GOVERNMENT.

POSITION OIF DOMINIONS.

SLOW-MOVING AUTHORITIES.

MR. HORNIG'S "INJUSTICE"

ENGLISH UNION SYMPATHETIC,

[B'BOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON. Sept. 7.

Speaking at a meeting of the South African Rugby Board in Capetown 011 September 1, Mr. Ilornig, manager of .the All Blacks, said South Africa, New Zealand and New South Wales, having proved •their prowess on the field, should tako their placo in the control of the world'si Rugby. "We havo no wish to interfere iti any way in the domestic running of th« four home unions in the British IslesEngland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales," he continued, " but a supreme ruling body for Rugby football should be in existence to-day. The English Rugby Union is slow-moving, and we must forco its hand for the betterment of Rugby throughout the world. Wo must go to tho English Union with a united front, and it must take notice."

These words, says Sporting Life in a leading article, uttered by Mr. Hornig, refer to the claims of the Dominions for proper representation in the government of the game. But, as is easily proved, in taking such a line the New Zealand manager is rendering a real injustice to tha Rugby Union. Fighter for Dominions.

" For many years past," continues the writer, "until the last few weeks prior to his death, the late Sir Rowland Hitl fought strenuously on behalf of the Dominions. He urged in season and out that the time had arrived when tlm unions of New Zealand, South Africa and New South Wales should be admitted into fellowship with the Home Unions. During his year of office as president of the Rugby Union, two seasons ago, Mr. James Baxter frequently referred in tho strongest possible terms not only to the necessity but to the justice of such an action, and his successor, Admiral Percy Rovds, adopted a similar attitude. "They even went so far as to hold out a veiled ultimatum to those ultra-conser-vative Rugby men in other parts of the British Isles that unless they were reasonable in the matter tho Rugby Union, much as it -would deplore the fact, would itself act firmly in the interests of the game. "In everv possible way th? Rugby Union has acted sympathetically toward the Dominions. It has been their greatest friends for over 25 years, and had it not been for them it is possible neither New Zealand, South Africa, New South Wales, nor the Maoris would yet have played in tho Motherland. Faced With Difficulties. "But the Rugby Union is faced with many difficulties—tho antagonism toward progress by one particular union, and the fact that on tho International Board it is outnumbered by the representatives of the other unions. Unless it goes to the regrettable extreme of severing friendly relations with the union that constitutes the chief obstacle to the formation of an Imperial advisory board, the Rugby Union, at the moment, is powerless. "This, in fairness to the Rugby Union, New Zealand and the other Dominion unions must recognise, and it would be interesting to know what suggestion Mr. Hornig can mako to enable it to be other than 'slow-moving.' "Certainly, the Rugby Union could say to its friends over the border that if they did not adopt a, more'reasonable attitude in connection with the just claims of the Dominions it would join with New Zealand, and the others in the formation of such an authority.

"This, however, would inevitably result, in a 'split' between the Home unions, with England and Wales on one side and Scotland and Ireland on the other, and such a happening would bo regrettable in the extreme, and is not a possibility that can bo considered without much anxious thought. Something Must Be Done.

"But something must be done, and done quickly, to prevent the Dominions from leaving us isolated from the rest of the Empire. This is important from the point on" view of Rugby football alone. It is doubly so in these days when, in every phase of life, it is imperative the Empire should remain one consolidated whole." Simultaneously with the opening of the Bugby season m this country, remarks the Athletic News, comes important news affecting the game imperially. One item shows that the Dominions are dissatisfied with the "slow-moving" Rugby Union at Home, and the other makes tho interesting proposal that an Imperial carnival should be arranged when the British Rugby team visits Australia in 1950. "When the New Zealanders were over here last, they were accompanied by special missionaries entrusted with the task of persuading the International Board to give New Zealand, New South Wales and South Africa a more powerful voice in the control of tho gam 6 than they have hitherto enjoyed. The logic of supremacy on the field, as well as other causes, led to a sympathetic hearing and to certain action which was at least a half-way stage. But, judging from a Capetown cable, tho Dominions feel that tho time has conle for the full concession to bo made."