RULES OF RUGBY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20537, 11 April 1930, Page 14

RULES OF RUGBY.

KICKING INTO TOUCH.

[ENFORCEMENT THIS SEASON.

DECISION BY UNION. THE BRITISH TEAM'S VISIT. [BY TELEGIIAPII. —IMIESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The old kick info touch rule will bo reverted to in New Zealand Rugby this season, but special dispensations will bo granted to unions who desiro to play club' matches under New Zealand rules. This decision was mado .'it the annual mooting of tho New Zealand Union this afternoon after a protracted discussion. Tho subject was introduced by Mr. S. S. Dean, who moved on behalf of tho management committee: —" That in Now Zealand all games in future bo played under tho rules of the International Board." Unless tho Dominion unions were granted a seat upon tho International Board he would not agree to going back to the old rules, and he doubted whether Now South Wales would agree to go back to tho old rules either.

Mr. Dean suggested that a conference should be held in New Zealand while the British team "was here. Delegates from South Africa, Canada and Australia could ho invited to attend the conference. Pending the coriferenco ho asked leavt* to w'ithdraw the remit. Mr. J. Prcndovillo (Wellington) said this would bo a broach of faith to thtt unions which supported tho motion. Taranaki Point ol View. .Mr. J. McLeod (Taranaki) said his nnion favoured going back to tho old rules at least for this season. Backs under Now Zealand rules now parted too much with tho ball. A return to tho old rulc3 would also make for sounder scrummaging. Mr. 11. Harris (Otago) also favoured & return to tho old rules. Unions which desired to play under New Zealand rules could receive a special dispensation to jdo so. Mr. A. McFhail (Canterbury) opposed a return to tho old rules. Mr. Murdock (Auckland) also opposed fc return to tho old rules. It would bo a. mistake. Auckland had had to faco serious rivalry. Spoaking as tho headmaster of a school of 800 pupils ho could say that the new rules had had a decided uplift upon tho gaino in tho North by an increase in the attendance at tho matches and an increasing number of players. An Auckland Amendment. Mr. Murdock moved as an amendment: •" That this meeting affirms tho resolution passed at tho last annual meeting that only trial matches and tho North Island and South Island match be played under International Board rules."

Mr. H. Frost (Auckland) seconded tho Amendment.

At the suggestion of Mr. G. Fownall ("Wanganui) it was decided to withdraw the remit temporarily and substitute tho [Wellington Union's motion: "That tho old kick into touch rule be reverted to throughout New Zealand during tho coming season." Mr. J. Millard (Wellington) confidently asserted that if (ho old rules wero reverted to unions would be only too glad to return to New Zealand rules nest year.

Mr. Frost said ho could give tho delogatcs an assurance that Auckland, when playing other unions, would bo only too ready to play under International Board lules.

ill'. Dean said they should either play Jindtjr International Board rules or leave the rules as they were. If Auckland was £oing to be given dispensations these dispensations should be specified. They Jwero all fighting for uniformity, and it' Auckland was granted permission to play different rules other unions might ask for dispensations. Mr. Murdock moved as an amendment that such unions as may apply and get permission lie allowed to play under New Zealand rules club matches only, Criticism ol Auckland.

Mr. McLeod said it was very pleasing to hear Mr. Frost at last admit that Auckland was playing under rules which had not been sanctioned, even by the New .Zealand Union. "Why is it," he asked, "that Auckland played rules which no other union in the Dominion considered good enough to adopt ? All the Rugby brains in New Zealand are not iii tho Auckland Province." A Voice: Iri Auckland City. Proceeding, Mr. .McLeod said that Auckland City only knows one brand of Rugby, and if a team was to come along and play the game as laid down by the Rugby hook, Aucklanders would not recognise the game.

The president, Mr. A. A. Adams, said he did not believe in makeshifts. .Auckland was up against a difficult proposition. Why should they alter the rules for one .year? Tho New Zealand Union should come boldly out and decide either to play the. old or tho new rules.

Mr. A. J. decides (Southland) supported the Wellington Union's remit. Ho declared that 99 per cent, of present-day players had no knowledge of the old rules and they should be given a chance to meet the British team on level terms.

Amendment Added to Remit. Mr. Tilyard (Wairarapa) supported a return to the old rules It was agreed at this stage to add tho amendment rnovcij by Mr. Murdock on to the Wellington remit, and in this form it .was carried. Mr. McLeod then moved that it be a recommendation to the management committee to grant any unions which might apply l fjr one year permission to play tinder the present Kew Zealand rules. This was carried. 1 ho remit standing in tho name of thu management committee was then con-, fcidcred again. Mr. E. Wylie moved that tho following words be added to tho motion: "if and when we are given satisfactory representation in the framing of finch rules." Ho said New Zealand luul a splendid chance of pressing for a voice in the forming of the rules, and it. would be a mistake to let tho opportunity pass. I his was seconded by Mr. McLeod and carried.

Tho remit as amended was then passed cn tho voices.