A GENTLE HINT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12161, 11 June 1925, Page 4

A GENTLE HINT

DOMINION TO ENGLAND RUGBY UNION’S REPLY FOR HOME IMPERIAL CONFERENCE The draft reply to the English Rugby Union on the subject of the Imperial conference was before the New Zealand Rugby Union last evening. It was very pointed. The letter read as follows: “Dear Sir, — “My committee is in receipt of your letter of the Bth April conveying the resolutions of the International Board relative to the proposal to set up an Imperial Advisory Board, and I aia directed to reply as follows : “My committee desires, first of all, to express its extreme regret that the proposed Imperial Advisory Board has been abandoned, especially In view* of the fact that at the conference held in December last, when the Dominions* representatives were present, the proposal met with a very favourable reception. This is apparent from a perusal of the minutes of the conference. feel, however, that the board has recognised the principle that the Dominions should be consulted more frequently, for it lias recommended a triennial conference. Although this is excellent in theory, it has very serious difficulties in practice. EXPENSES HEAVY “In the first place, it is recommended that the conferences be held in London. ■ and that the expenses of all representatives be holme by their respective unions. This would operate most unfavourably against the overseas unions. Such conferences cannot he productive of the best Tesults unless direct delegates are sent. The cost of sending two delegates from either Now Zealand or New South Wales woiild be at least £SOO, whereas the expenses of the four Homo unions would be comparatively trifling. The question of time involved in travelling to and from such conferences must also bo considered, and here again the overseas representatives would be at a disadvantage. It would he quite unfair to expect the overseas unions to he involved in so large an expenditure every three years, even if they were always able to afford it. Moreover, the question must he considered as to the functions and powers of such conferences, and what effect will he given to resolutions passed. If the conference is not vested with any powers, then, so far as my union is concerned, situate so far from your headquarters, neither the expense nor the time involved , is justified.’’" * - DOMINION’S WANTS “We suggest that conferences should be held every five years, and that, to meet the expense of delegates, the International Board lay a levy of say, one or two per cent, of the net profits of every international match played, both at Home and in the overseas Dominions. Me would also like to suggest that the .conference be movable. If held in the various countries in rotation, we- feel that even more good could be obtained, and it would enable every one of us to appreciate the difficulties and conditions peculiar to one another. It should certainly foster the Imperial spirit of Rugby, and we ourselves would welcome the chance of extending our hospitality to the delegates attending such a gathering. “We fool Unit now the Imperial Advisory Board has been turned down, neither South Africa, New South Wales, nor New Zealand is having its true status recognised. Wo feel that each of these countries has proved its right to at least a junior position on the International Board, or a voice in the control of Rugby. We ourselves have not the slightest desire to dominate; all we require is recognition—■ the right to speak and vote. At present our status, with our roll of 60,000 players, is only equal to that of a club in England. It will surely be admitted by everybody that this is not in keeping with our true position. ' “SENTIMENTAL BOND” “It was pointed out at the last Imperial conference that the overseas unions were actually represented on the International Board, through the Rugby Football Union who. on account of their affiliation, are given two extra delegates. If this is actually the case, we feel that the Rugby Football Union should, as a matter of principle, allot those two delegates to the representatives of the Dominions, For example, we would suggest that the South African delegate he one, as South Africa is remote from both the Homeland and Australia and New Zealand. New South Wales and New Zealand are always in close communication with each other, and so the other delegates might he allotted alternately to their two representatives. In this way we should certainly feel there was justification for the claim that we are directly represented; and this, moreover, would enablo us > to retain our affiliation with your union. —a sentimental bond which we trust there will never he cause to sever.” “A VEILED THREAT” “I don’t like the lairfc paragraph,” said Air W. Hornig, “it reads like a veiled threat.” He thought that the letter should not go forward in quite that form. “Wliat would ho our position if we withdrew our affiliation from England and linked up with Scotland, Ireland or Wales?” asked Mr S. S. Dean, “and if South Africa and New South Wales did the same? Well, then, I take it England would lose those two extra representatives on the International Board, and whoever wo affiliated with would gain them. 1 am quite sure that England would not want to lose those extra votes.” Air T. Fletcher: I don’t think that they are entitled to them unless they use" them in tlie interests of the Dominions. Mr Dean: All rhe same we have nothing to gain from Scotland. Mr A. O. Kit to: What did you get ont of England? Mr Dean: Oh, we got a tour. Mr Kitto: And who got the money? Tt was decided to send the reply as it stood