WORLD RUGBY UNION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 14

WORLD RUGBY UNION

EUROPEAN FEDERATION NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION VIEWS OF FORMER PRESIDENT [by TKIiKGItArU —OWN COIUtKSPONDBNT] CHItISTCHUKCH, Sunday Tlir conviction that New Zealand is not wanted on the International Rugby Board, and ;i suggestion that the Dominion might do well to join up with the newly-formed World Rugby Union, were expressed by Mr. >S. F. Wilson, a former president of the New Zealand and Canterbury Rugby Unions, in an interview.

"I Jiad a letter recently from an authority at Rome, who said that England had given us everything that Scotland and Ireland would allow her lo give," said Mr. Wilson. "So as long as New Zealaitders are content to put up with this wo cannot expect any consideration in the framing of tho laws. After tho conference in 1024 I did think that we would get somo further recognition, but I was overoptimistic, and with the passing of Sir Roland Hill our chances were hopeless. A further conference, in my opinion, would ho a waste of good time and money."

"The International Board will, however, iiavo to take notice of the European federation," continued Mr. Wilson. "Jri a recent letter I received from the Continent a delegate who was present said that France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Czecho-Slovakia, Belgium and Holland were represented at a conference hold in Paris in February, and that it was decided that a World Rugby Union should be formed, with headquarters in Paris. It was agreed that France should have four delegates, Germany two, and the other nations one each. A further meeting was to be hold in Hanover later, and I am promised further particulars. "Failing getting somo representation for tho Dominions on the so-called International Board, which is not even Imperial, New Zealand must exploit the European body and join up with the other nations, although, of course, it might be awkward if Hitler, Mussolini and Gordon Goates met at a game. After every consideration, I am convinced that we are not wanted on the International Board, arid are merely tolerated," he concluded.