Otago Selectors Castigated

NZ Truth, Issue 1030, 22 August 1925, Page 13

Otago Selectors Castigated

Are Country Footballers Overlooked?

When the selectors of the Otago team recently went into Central Otago to see whether any country players were worthy of wearing the blue jersey of the province, little did they think that the frigidity of their reception m some quarters would rival that of the atmosphere through which they sped on their long journey.

However, such proved to be the case. It was at as moke concert after the first of the up-country matches that verbal brick-bats were thrown at the selectors, and prominent among those who threw them was Dr. Tom Hanrison,. the ex-Varsity forward, who is' now living *m the Central. In proposing the toast of the Otago Rugby Football Union, Mr. W. Harlow said he would like to know whether the selectors had gone up willingly. Country players were" not satisfied with the treatment they were getting from the Otago Union. Why was each sub-union not allowed to pick a team from its own district instead of a team being selected from two districts? It was either parsimony or narrow-mindedness on the part of the Otago Union. The South-] land team contained four country players, and why could they not ge£ four players m the Otago team? The so-called Otago teams were merely representative of Dunedin teams. Naturally, the country people protested against this infringement of their rights and must ask for better representation , Mr. Donald Stuart, one of the selectors, said that he was under the impression that he was with friends, but he was satisfied there were enemies, of whom Mr. Hai-low was one. The Otago Union might have made mistakes m the past, but they were now doing their best for country footballers. Dr. Harrison, who had previously complained of the country subunions not getting proper representation, had dnce been a member of the Otago Union, but during that time he never mentioned the matter. During their trip the selectoi-s were seeing the best players m three subunions, but it would avail them nothing to come and see club matches. The sub-union selectors could pick out the cream of the clubs. Mi. Alec. McDonald, another of the selectors, said Mr. Haiiow's remarks were quite uncalled for. "One usually finds that criticism comes from those who have been m the game five minutes." The Otago Union might not have done enough m the past, but they were j now doing their best. That clay he had seen one or two players' who, m good company, might turn out topnotehers, but there were not so many chances for country players as there were for town players. Mr. Jack Mitchell, the third selector, said that if the country had good men Otago wanted them. The selectors were there with open minds. Dr. Harrison said that last year Mr. McDonald had managed a secondrate team which visited Central Otago. At that time .the speaker commented on the unfair treatment that was being given to country footballers and also sent a letter of protest to the Otago Union. He had asked that the letter be . taken m open meeting, but it had been taken m committee. i

The union at that time had taken exception to some of his remarks, but they were all true. The selectors had been sent up to Alexandra —they were not invitecl-^-oth.erwise he would not be speaking: as he was. Prior to the match that day two of the Vincent players had been asked if they could travel if they were picked for the Otago team. Was that fair when the selectors had not seen them play? The Otago selectors had never given a man from the country a, decent spin. In 1907 three Vincent men had secured places m the Otago team. A voice: Five men. * Dr. Harrison: Well, there may have been five men, but if the present selectors had been m office they would probably not have got into the team. They came up and picked men before they played. Mr. White, past president of the Otago Union, expressed his intention of leaving the room as a protest against Dr. Harrison's remarks, but he waij persuaded to remain. Mr. Stuart: I previously thought Dr. Harrison was more of a gentleman than I now know him to be. Dr. Harrison: I stand by what I have said, and don't care who is present. The Otago Union has not considered country football as it should have done. The Otago Rugby ; Foot-, ball Union is the Dunedin Rugby* Football Union. Mr. Burton said that the Otago Rugby Union was now doing more for country football than it had done m the past, and he considered that Dr. Harrison should not have spoken as he did. Despite the criticism to •.which thoy were subjected, the selectors were cheered at the conclusion of. the function. When seen on his return to town, one of them informed . the writer that, apart from Townsend and Diack, who are ex-Varsity players, there was only one player m the .Vincent team who impressed him. lie was green', but might improve m good company.