“TOO MUCH RUGBY”

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11652, 17 October 1923, Page 10

“TOO MUCH RUGBY”

OTAGO ONION'S PROTEST. REPORT TO BE MADE, The vexed question of the suspension of the Christchurch Marist Rugby Football Club came up before the New Zealand Rugby - Union again last evening. It was raised- by the copy of a letter dated. October Ist, from- the Marist Football Club, to the Canterbury R.F.U., acknowledging receipt of the union’s intimation of the club's suspension and making application for the case to be submitted to the N.Z.R.U., with a view to' having the evidence in the case placed before the parent body and the suspension removed by virtues of the powers vested in the supreme Rugby tribunal in the Dominion.. The necessary sunt of El in such cases was enclosed/ SUSPENSION ENDORSED.

"This club was suspended by the Canterbury 'Union and we endorsed the suspension on September 26th," said Mr S. S. Dean (chairman'. ‘'Under rule 34, where-as affiliated union , has passed a resolution disqualifying any club, or team, this has. to bo reported to tho management committee' for the purpose of being made general from the date of the reodipt of the advice. Whether or not the terms of tho disqualification are in accord with'the by-laws of the linion.

• TWO IN ONE? "There, is one thing that I can’t follow,• and Boys' Association is the same os the Old Boys’ Football Club. I asked the secretary to'. send for a copy of the rules goVorning the local competitions, a copy of the' rales governing the Payne trophy competitions, copies of any correspondence with -the Canterbury union, and the Marist Club having a -hearing on the case', and copies .at any correspondence with the Otago Rugby!-Union haring a bearing bn the Payne trophy competitions. ‘There, is one thing: about, this. Pule 84 ideals with disqualification." , Mr Little: It’s not a disqualification. Mr, Wylie ? In- ©Sect it; is. - "Tllij ONL'S ON US.” ‘ Mr Dean: That suspension almost amounts, to disqualfication. It looks to me very , much as though, as we endorsed the suspension, the onus is on us to deal with it. • Mr Wylie: I understand that there are no r conditions laid down lot the match _ "Would you agree to holding the matter over until we get a reply to our letlet," asked the chairman. ‘Mr E Little: I can’t,see that we have 1 any jurisdiction in this case. It looks j purely a local squabble. I Mr W. S. Glenn: You. may refer the ! matter back to the Canterbury Union; but it seems to me you cannot ignore I such an appeal. i Mr Wylie: If the letter sent us was : the only letter-written then there seems to -be very little offence. FOLLOWS THE PROVINCES. ! Mr Dean : The position is that the New j Zealand Rugby Union usually follows the ! provincial unions in endorsing a enepeni fcion, whether it be hard or lenient. It {ls true that - this is only a suspension; but a suspension can become a disquali- , ficotion. j Mr B. McKenzie: A suspension is in--1 definite j a disqualification is for a . cerI tain period. i Mr Dean: The Canterbury Union Is | on tho spot and has taken this action I Mr Wylie: We can reopen the matter j at a later date. Mr Glenn remarked that it seemed to I him to be impoestblo to deal with the ; matter until information was received i and it was decided to acknowledge the | appeal mid to await the Canterbury i Union’s'reply..