“A DELIBERATE LIE!”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8122, 16 May 1912, Page 1

“A DELIBERATE LIE!”

MR WEIR WON’T APOLOGISE ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB DEFENDS WILSON. At last evening’s meeting of the pianagcment committee of tlio Weilington Rugby Union a letter was received from the Athletic hootball Club objecting to remarks made by Mr D. Weir at the previous week’s meeting of the committee, to the effect that William Wilson, who was seeking reinstatement, was “ far better out of football.” Although, stated the communication, Wilson was still under suspension by t<h© union, that fact oKi not give Mr Weir, or anyone else, the right to placard him as an undesirable member of society, and the club thought the remarks were uncalled for and were in very bad taste. It considered Mr AVeir should apologise. Apparently, the facts that led Mr Weir to make such a statement could, be traced to an Athletic- Wellington junior grade match, played at the beginning of the 1910 reason. Wilson played in this game, ard Mr AVeir was also present as ari enthusiastic barracker for AA r ellington, nnd because AVilson was getting the. tall upon the line-out, he promptly exhorted the Wellington players to ‘‘sort the nigger out.” The Wellington players carried out Mr AA r eir’s Jnstrujtions to such good effect that AVilson got a bad time, and even to this day tears the marks of the knocks be tecei/od in that game. This, then, being the only justification that Air Weir had for making the statement objected to, it was hardly a fair index of Wilson’s character, and the club’s coi n itte© very much regretted that the union allowed the remarks to go forth to the public per medium of the press. NO APOLOGY I ' Mr Weir: An apology is not forthcoming, and never will be! I have no hesitation in saying that I irtend taking no further action in the matter. The remarks in the 'etter in leference to myself in ‘hat particular match are foreign to fact in every shape and form. Air J. Bums thought that if Air Weir considered any member of society was not fit to play football he was quite right in saying so. Air A. E. AVilson did not think the remarks made by Mr Weir last week were relevant to the question of Wilson’s application for removal of the disqualification. . rtatejnents were mado, and AVilson nad no - chance of defending himself. < Mr F., C. Atkinson: , These .Wilsons are very sensitive on the ctlour racket —they don’t get too good a tun. It’s about the worst thing you can say to a Maori. Air Weir: If I tell yon • deliberate lie —: —

Mr Atkinson: If you tell mo that, Mr Weir, I will accept yonr statement.

Mr W. Perry: The whole thing is this: That when wo are discussing matters in open meeting members should bo careful as to what they say. Mr Burns proposed, and Mr W. Hornig seconded, |that the biter t© received. “I don’t -think that g'©s far enough,” declared Mr W. Hardham. “.This is a remark made by one member of the committee. Mr Weir made the remark, and Mr Weir is prepared to stand by it. I don’t, think the mere fact of us receiving that letter is correct.’’ He moved that the Athletic club be’ informed that the remarks were made by Mr Weir as a immber of the committee, but were not the opinion of the committee. Mr Perry seconded. Both ho. and Mr E. O. Hales stated that pt the time Mr Weir mad© the statement, they pointed out that it had nothing to do with the matter of reinstating Wilson. j Mr Hardham’s proposition was carried.

William Wilson was disqualified during the pleasure of the union for refusing .to answer a question when inquiry was being mad© into the Eangi Wilson-Calcinai incident in 1910.