OLD RULE FAVORED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17232, 11 April 1930, Page 3

OLD RULE FAVORED

CONDITIONS OF RUGBY PREPARING POE BRITISH TOUR EXEMPTION'S. PKHMLSJSIBLK. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, lust night. The old kick-iii-touch rule will be reverted to in New Zealand this season, but special dispensations will be granted to unions who desire to play club matches under the New Zealand rules. Such was the decision come to at the annual meeting of the. N.Z. ILL . this afternoon after a. protracted discussion. The subject was introduced by Mr. S. S. Dean, who moved on behalf of the management commute, that in New Zealand all games in future be played tinder the tales of the International Board. Unless the Dominion unions wore, granted a seal upon the International Board, he would not agree to going back to the old rules. lie- doubled whether New South Wales would agree to go back to the old rules either. He suggested that a. conference should he held in the Dominion while the British team was here, at which delegates from South Africa, Canada, and Australia would he invited to attend. Pending this conference, he- asked leave to withdraw the remit. *

Mr. J. Prende'rville (Wellington), said this would lie a breach of faith with the unions which supported the motion. Mr. J. McLeod (Taranaki) said that his union favored going back to the old rules at least for this season. The, backs under the New Zealand rules now parted too much with the ball. A return to the old rules would also make for sounder scrummaging. Mr. 11. Harris (Otago) also favored a return to the old rules. Unions which desired to play under the New Zealand rules could receive a special dispensation to do so. AUCKLAND OPPOSITION Mr. A. McPhail (Canterbury) opposed a return to the. old rules. Mr. Murdoek (Auckland) also opposed a return to the old rules. It would bo a mistake. Auckland had had to face serious rivalry. Speaking as the headmaster of a. school of 800 pupils, lie could say that the new rules had been a decided uplift upon the game in the north by increasing the number of spectators at matches and increasing the number of "players. Proceeding, the speaker moved as an amendment:."That this meeting affirms flu- resolution passed at the last annual meeting that only trial matches and the North v. South Island match be played under International Board rules." Mr. 11. Frost (Auckland) seconded the amendment. At the suggestion of Mr. 0. Pownall (Wanganui) it was decided to withdraw Die remit temporarily and substitute the Wellington union's motion : "That the old kiek-iuto-'tmich ride be reverted to throughout New Zealand during the coming season." Mr. J. N. Millard (Wellington) confidently asserted that, if the old rules were reverted to, unions would be only 100 glad to return to the New Zealand rules next year. Mr. 11. Frost (Auckland) said he could give the delegates an assurance that Auckland, when playing other unions, would bo only too ready io play under International Board rules. Mr. S. S. Dean said that they should either play under International Board rules or leave the rules as they were. If Auckland was going to be. given dis-; pensations, these should bo specified. They were all lighting for uniformity, and, if Auckland was granted permission to play different rules, other unions might ask for dispensations. Mr. Murdoek moved as an amendment: "That such unions as may apply and get permission be allowed to play under New Zealand rules in club, matches only." NEED FOR UNIFORMITY. , Mr. J. McLeod said that it was very pleasing fo hear Mr. Frost at last admit' tljat Auckland was playing under rules which had not been sanctioned even by the New Zealand union. "Why is it,'\ he asked, "that, Auckland played rules; which \ no other union in the Dominion considered good enough to adopt? All the Rugby brains in New Zealand are not in the Auckland province." A voice : In Auckland City. Proceeding, Mr. McLeod said Auck-; land city only knew one brand Of Rugby and, if a team were to come along ami play the game, as laid down by theRugby book, the Aucklanders would not. recognise the game. The president, Mr.. A. A. Adams, said that he did not believe in makeshifts. Auckland was up against a difficult proposition. Why should they alter the' rules for one year? The New Zealand union should come boldly out and decide to play the old or the new rules. Mr. A. J. Geddes (Southland) supported the Wellington union's remit. f.Io ( declared that 99 per cent, of the present day players had no knowledge of old rules and they should be given a' chance to meet the British team on level terms. Mr. Tilyard (Wairarapa) supported a return to the old rules. It was agreed, at this stage, to lack the amendment on to the Wellington remit and in this form it was carried. Mr. J. McLeod then moved that it bo a recommendation to the. management committee to grant any unions which might apply, one year's permission to play under the present New Zealand' rules. This was carried. Tiie remit standing in the name of the management committee was then reverted to. Mr. E. Wylie moved that the follow-, ing words be added to the motion : ''lf and when we, are given satisfactory representation in the framing of such rides." He said that New Zealand had a splendid chance of pressing for a voice in the framing of the. rules and it would be a mistake, to let the opportunity pass. This was seconded by Mr. J. McLeod (Taranaki) and carried, and the remit; as amended was (hen passed on the, voices. east while the game was in progress. Mr. A. A. Adams (Wesl. Coast) said; that, after healing the discussion, Ins union would lie prepared to lose a few pounds in order f li.it- the preatcr good of the game might be. served by broadcasting the matches. Mi'. Macfarlano pleaded that I hey should do the greatest good for the greatest number, and allow the matches to be broadcast. i pon being put to Die vole (he amendment was lost. Mr. .1. '!'. King (Wellington) then moved as a. further amcndmonl : "That reports of Test matches only be allowed to le broadcast." This also, was lost, and Mr. Sterling's motion was' then put and' carried.