CONTROL OF RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 14

CONTROL OF RUGBY.

STATUS OF DOMINIONS.

BOARD'S ATTITUDE CRITICISED.

DECREE REGARDING RULES.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The attitude of tho International Rugby Football Board, in dealing with the claims of the Dominions for an improved status, lias como in for severe criticism, and there is likely to be more as a result of tho terms of a resolution passed by tho board this year. Some time ago tho New Zealand Rugby Union proposed that a conference of Rugby delegates from various countries be held here during the visit of the British Rugby tearn next year, one of the matters for consideration to bo the setting up of an Imperial Rugby Board.

Tho proposal was brought to the notice of tho board through the English Rugby Union, with which New Zealand is affiliated. Tho board's opinion on the matter has now beon mado known, and it has given the New Zealand Union further cause for dissatisfaction. It amounts to all tho Dominions having to revert back to International Board rules if they expect to receivo any consideration, but New Zealand is not likely to treat this latest development lightly.

"Holding the Big Stick." "If the International Board is going to hold the big stick over us, do not think we are going to lie down to it," said Mr. S. S. Dean, chairman of the Now Zealand Union, at a meeting of the management committee last evening, when the following letter conveying the board's resolution was received from tho secretary of the English Rugby Union: - "At a meeting of tho committee of the Rugby Union on October 4 the report of our International Board representatives was received regarding a resolution adopted by the board last March. It appears that some misunderstanding arose regarding the communication being sent to the Dominion unions.

"I am, therefore, now directed by my committee to forward the board's resolution to you. It reads as follows: —' As a condition precedent to the consideration of the creation of a consultative body under the supreme control of this board, all Dominion unions should agree to adopt the laws of the game as framed by the International Board.' Will you please let me know whether your union is prepared to accept this resolution, which, as previously stated, my committee recommends."

"This is a very important resolution of tho International Board," said Mr. Dean, " and it is one that we cannot enter into lightly. I think a copy of the letter should be sent to all unions in New Zealand, and also to the New South Wales Rugbv Union, for expressions of opinion. It is a very vital matter for certain unions in New Zealand, and very vital for unions in Australia. I think it is one concerning which we shall probably have to call a special meeting of delegates. This is a very old argument and I do not think any lead we might give will have any great effect."

The Two Alternatives. Mr. A. C. Kitto: It ought to be enough for tho International Board to know that we play the rules framed by it in international games. Mr. Dean: Unless we agree to the rules they are not going to give us a conference. If we want uniformity and a voice in making the rules wo will have to go back to the old rules. I personally favour going back if we can get a voice in making the rules. We are either going to stick to the constitution as laid down by the International Board and the English Rugby Union k or we are going to drift, and if we drift we are going to tako other unions with us.

It was decided that copies of the letter be sent to the unions for expressions of opinion. No decision was made regarding a special meeting of delegates, but Mr. Dean suggested that if necessary the annual meeting of the New Zealand Union might be called at an earlier date than usual.