FOOTBALL INCIDENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15316, 11 September 1920, Page 5

FOOTBALL INCIDENT.

PLAYERS' "POCRET-MO'NEY." PROFESSIONALISM ALLEGED. A matter of some concern to Rugby footballers has been before the Wanganui Rugby Union, j^nd in consequence Messrs. Tau Pnranihi and G. Blair, of Marton, who are members of tlje Wanganui touring team in the South Island, have been suspended 'on. the grounds oi professionalism. The cause of the trouble is that before leaving for the South they \tere each handed a cheque by the president of the Rangitikei Rugby Union as "pocket-money," such an action, .being contrary to the rules of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and a breach of the law relating to professionalism, as the payment of players in. any shape or form is nof supposed to be tolerated in. the Rugby Union game. As a sequel to the matter, tho New Zealand Rugby Union communicated with the Wanganui Union, with, the result that a telegram was sent to the manager of the touring team, stating that Paranihi and Blair* must not* take part in further matches. One of the members present questioned if the New, Zealand Rugby- Union- could" raise "any 1 serious objection, "seeing that the governing body sanctioned the payment of 3s per day to "faiembers of the "All Black" l^am, which toured England in 1905-6. Furthermore, it is asserted that other prominent players going' on tour have accepted, "tokens of goodwill" as pooket-money.* Tlie " Rangitikei "subunionhas been asked to give an explanation, and a special meeting of the Wanganui Union is being held in connection with -Che matter. ,