Notes on Northern Union and New Zealand Authorities on the Game.

NZ Truth, Issue 133, 17 August 1907, Page 3

Notes on Northern Union and New Zealand Authorities on the Game.

[(•By, Ben 'AdhenSi-T; Recently I had occasioa fry refer: to an opinion expressed by a self-; constituted authority on N.Z. Rugby, football, one "Touchstone" ("Touch-me-not" would be better) of the Welling>ton "Free Lance." "Touchstone" m the last issue of the alleged journal endeavors .to "edge" over his previous remarks, which were to the effect that when the "All Black professors" returned to New Zealand, their football days would be ended. This authority's latest statement is as follows : — •A local writer says that a branch of the Northern Rugby Union (England) will be formed m New Zealand next season. I don't doubt the statement, but I have been wondering if the public v of this .Dominion will support the game m big enough numbers to keep men doing nothing else but playing it. I confess that I am pessimistic m that direction my- ' self. Readers of "Truth" will readily, see how "Touchstone" has distorted my views on the subject, and will no doubt appreciate the howler's utterances at their true worth. In the first «place I never asserted that the "Dominion" would support professional players who did nothing else but play, football, and for the benefit of this "Chester field" of the football arena, I may add that the Northern Rugby Union does not do so either. Further, it may foe of interest to "TouclMnenot" to learn that when a branch of the Northern Union is . formed iiere it will not be necessary for clubs to have even a single paid play 6r unless they wish, and as a local illustration may he of value, I need only refer "Touoh-<me- 4 not" to the Soccer game (of whioh he is also a self-constituted authority), whioh embraces both amateurism and professionalism. Even "Touch-ihe7not" ' will admit , that "Soccer" receives a little support vn. this city, and certainly has a considerable following m Otago, yet it is not a record that any of the players .have been registered as "pros."- 1 -, though for "Touch-me-not's" benefit/ I may inform him that several "amateur" players here were "pros." m the Old Country. Some utterances of the proprietor of the "All Blacks" team-^another "Free Lance" man— 'George Dixon, have been plaoed before the writer, m which that eminent gentleman airs his views on the Northern Rugby Union and the prospects of tbe "All Black processors.''- Says the eminent George— who, by the way, cannot be regarded as a disciple of George Washington, as I will shortly prove— the Northern Union -boasts of some 22 clubs. Then he proceeds to hold forth on the fact that the "All Black professors" cannot hope to make ends meet; and quotes the ; alleged fact that his own "All Black" team had the whole of England to >draw from m the matter of spectators, consequently. Ire adds, the "All Black professors" are m a far worse position so far as gates are concerned. All of which sounds very nice until dissected. First of all, let me tel.l the immaculate George; — who never admits reading ''Truth'," but perhaps some friend may tell him of what appears m this issue— that the Northern Rugr by Union, which embraoes almost tie whole of the Rugby Clubs m the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Cumberland and a number of clubs m Cheshire and Westmoreland, includes m its direct membership 205 clubs of standing, and, m addition? there are numerous leagues > affiliated to the Union, which, m their turn, m« elude many minor clubs.