FOOTBALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 135, 18 January 1908, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

•■ . XBy "Pakeha.") " That Cablegrammer." i Early m December last the Press Association's London representative cabled out the following :<— "The Times" impresses on the New Zealand footballers the fact that they should he careful to keep m good condition. The paper adds that the financial success of the tour so far seems to have demoralised several of them. It is highly probable that the majority of the team will eventually accept engagements with Northern Union teams. "Pakeha" at the time expressed the opinion that influence had been brought to bear on the cable man to

send the itemi out, and he is more convinced than ever, now that he has "The Times," that his opinion was correct, and there is" no doubt ! that the representatives of the (N.Z.R.U. (Mr Wray Palliser) has had | a finger m the pie. And what are the real facts ofthe alleged "Times" article ? It was not an article for which the great journal was responsible at all, but the review of a correspondent. Tbis fact the crafty' cablegramlnuer altogether suppressed, but allowed it to go forth that the I "Thunderer" had thus spoken, 1 and the fact that tliis deliberate distortion lis m accord with the individuals who | misrule the N.Z.R.U., lends color to the impression that the aforementioned servant of the New Zealand people was responsible for the false .impression conveyed by the crammer-. This is much attentuated by the fact ' that the cablegrammer suppressed a most important item, viz., "that, the visit of the team, from the standpoint of the English Rugby Union,: was much more serious than was generally anticipated." All along we have had letters from "our own correspondent" appearing m the "N.Z. Times" and other conservative journals, telling the New 7s and public that the professional ,ame • was watoaStt© m popularity and " the I amateur game gaining ground. But what are the facts ? We have seen that several Welsh teams have gone over to the Northern Union and that there is great discontent m Wales, and a probability of Newport, Cardiff and Swansea also becoming I Northern Union organisations. But "our own correspondents," who as a, matter of fact are servants of tlie I people of New Zealand, holding official positions m the High Commissioner's and other Government offices m London, and are paid by the people, have taken advantage of their positions to hoodwink the New Zealand public. Why are these officials allowed to contribute to the press when Mr McCullougih and others holding Government positions have been forbidden to do so under penalty ?: But that is an incident only. These gentry have altogether suppressed the information that m the Midlands of England, where loyalty to the English Rugby Union has hitherto been manifest, great, discontent prevails, and one great club, "Leicester," whom therfirst "All Blacks" three-bob-a-day professionals played against, have gone over to the Northern Union, and more are to follow* Of course the New Zealand Rugby Union Executive will take exception to their pets being termed professionals, but all the same they are professionals acoording to the definition of professional, contained m the rules of the English and New Zealand Rugby Unions. But,, of' course, the governing body take no notice of that rule, but if any member moves that the individuals on the , Executive be expelled for tolerating and openly encouraging professionalism, there should he no time lost m giving them their deserts m the shape of a walking ticket. The English Rugby Union if appealed to on this point could not but uphold the point that the Executive ofthe N.Z.R.U. has been guilty of maladministration m encouraging professionalism. The English Rugby Union declined to authorise a mjaximum payment of 6s per day and it can scarcely take the stand that the payment of 3s .per day over and above "expenses m excess of the amount actually disbursed on account of reasonable hotel or travelling expenses" (Rule 2, D.) is not an act . of professionalism, seeing that the 'rule tffuqted distinctly states that it is professionalism. But I will return to this subject at a more opportune time. In the meantime, whilst still a supporter of amateurism, I am anxious to see the definition widened, and failing this being done then justice must be done to the deserving players m another manner. The cost of living m this country— "God's Own Country"— is daily becoming a more serious question and the younger players, whose services are requisitioned should not be penalised when on tour to the extent of forfeiting their salaries. A player who is required by the Union should be recompensed for his actual losses without forfeiting his amateur status as it is absurd 'to call a man a professional unless he is actually making money at the game. Even the present team at Home are being unjustly branded as professionals. It po happens that their takings have so far 'exceeded the previous professional team— who were actual professionals, as ihey went Home under a,guarantee of three shillings a day over and above' actual expenses— but assuming that they had suffered an actual loss, could it be said that they were professionals because of the fact that they had not made, but lost money ? Certainly not. These -young fellows are certainly "speculators"' who have confidence m themselves, and it is no more right to label them professionals than it is to label the Australian cricketers, Armr strong, Noble, Trumper and Co., professionals. The latter gentry when in* New Zealand are accepted as gentlemen amateurs and banquetted and lauded to the skies. Why then damn our own representatives with an intentional offensive name ? lam pleased to see that the "Free Lance" has changed its attitude m regard to the boys at Home, and I hope Geo. -Dixon is m accord with the new view bat I cannot agree to the last sentence m the following paragraph from the last issue of the journal :■— ■ That the gate-money earned by the New Zealand professional fodt■ballers will be greater than their record of wins. However, the chief consideration of the tour should be j the gate money.