What Constitutes Professionalism.

NZ Truth, Issue 105, 22 June 1907, Page 3

What Constitutes Professionalism.

During the week I received the following communications :— Dear "Pakeba."— As an old rep I am very pleased to see that the N.Z.R.U. has. at last departed from the amateur status, and openly advocatedi payment to members of a team when on tour. Of course, I quite understand that the amount, 3/- per day, is not sufficient, and have no doubt that, tho N.Z.R.U. itself thinks so, and will gradually increase tho . amount until it reaches tho amount a man ' loses m wages. The Union will have the support of j most, if not all, representative players m the stand it has taken, and I hops it will instruct all Union's under its jurisdiction to pay their teams when, on tour. Thantoms you m anticipation!— l am, &C;, OLD REP. Wellington, -June 21, 1907. (My correspondent is, , metlnnks, a little sarcastic at the expense of the N.Z.R.U. Anyway, he gets a nice little one' on to the colonial 'btody. — Pahoba.') Dear "Pakeba. ''--The question of what constitutes, a professional looms very lar^e on the football horizon at the present time, and the. attitude adopted by the N.Z.R.U. adds to ths difficulty, of determining, the point where amateurism ends and professionalism" begins. There is no doubt m the mindis of most followers of Rugby that the laws governing, the game clearly determine that an individual receiving' money for services rendered to a football, organisation becomes a pro., and we have the curious spectacle of a committee, whose first duty is . to see that the rules are carried out, openly breaking the rules itself, and creating m this colony a "pro." element. The payment to members of a touring team under the f iead'»s|x, of 'coit-of-pock-et exes, opens up a big question, and cn-3 that may be. a fruitful cause of trouble m the future. Should any of the provincial unions decide that say 7/ aiday is a fair ; amount to allow members of their touring teams who is xto say them nay. Surely not a committee who has itself voted' such moneys, and. who have for at least a section of it J ' received large sums by way of bonuses, and who do ijot .hesitate when opportunity offers to -arrange a needless holiday trip for one of its members. The N.Z.R.U., by. the answers given to the questions asked by the local union, shows itself -to be experts at covering up, 'its own ' shortcomings, and that it puts itself first m administration of the laws of Rugby being a secondary, : consideration. Such action lends color, to the statement ibat' it fears ': jfco : submit ■...t'li-g. queslidii of interpretation' of the rules of vproiessionalism io ■an indepc-ndan'ti-tribunal. In conclusion, if it cannot carry on under the present laws let it take steps to have the rules altered and so end the present farce.— I am, &c, .''..■ OBSERVER. Wellington, : June 21, 1907.