RUGBY FOOTBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22013, 12 May 1933, Page 8

RUGBY FOOTBALL

NEW ZEALAND UNION ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES REPLACEMENT RULE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 11 The annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union was held to-day. At the outset the meeting went into committee to consider developments as the result of the representations made to the English Union with regard to the replacement of injured players. In welcoming the delegates, the president, Mr Pownall, of Wanganui, mentioned that he had been able to pay personal visits to the majority of the unions, but regretted that icrcumstances prevented him visiting North Auckland and the East Coast. Strong exception to Rugby Unions being called upon to pay income tax was taken. Mr S. S. Dean explained that representations had been made to the Finance Minister, who promised to take the matter up with the Department and if they could not get satisfaction from this course an endeavour should be made by all the unions to bring the matter before Members of Parliament with a view to an amendment of the act to provide for exemption. The opinion was expressed that the time was inopportune for sending a New Zealand representative team on a tour of New Zealand, much as it might be desirable from an educational point of view. The union decided to reject the Hawkes Bay remit that the amended kick into touch rule be reintroduced and to recommend the management committee to arrange a conference between New Zealand, Australia, Africa and Canada before or during 1936. On behalf of the Canterbury Union Mr Thompson moved that the conference be arranged and after a discuscussion the remit was amended and carried that the management committee be empowered, with the concurrence of Canada, South Africa and Australia, to arrange a conference before or during the Australian tour of South Africa.

An application was made by the Manawatu-Horowhenua Rugby Union to revert to the status of two separate unions. The proposal emanated from the unions concerned, which, it was stated, had found that under the present constitution, financial difficulties had arisen which would be relieved by a reversion to separate entity. The application was granted and the two bodies admitted to membership on the new arrangement. A lively debate took place on the question of the venue of the North v. South Island game. Mr Dean, on behalf of the Management Committee, suggested that the match be played at Wellington on September 23. The claims of other unions were advanced and it was decided finally to leave the matter to the discretion of the Management Committee. Mr E. McPhail (Canterbury) was elected president. The following committee was elected: Messrs S. S. Dean, W. J. Wallace, F. Glasgow, J. Roache, T. A. Fisher, A. C. Kitto, H. W. Sterling.

The council had a lengthy discussion in committee upon the question of replacement of injured players. Resuming in the open, the council announced that the following resolution had been passed: That this union appreciates the courteous attention which the Rugby Football Union (England) has given the representations made from New Zealand with reference to the replacement of injured players and respects the attachment to tradition which has, with other reasons, prevented the Rugby Football Union from accepting the view that replacements should be permitted, and values highly the bonds of sentiment that have united and continue to unite the Rugby Football Union and the New Zealand Union. This union believes, however, that the interests of Rugby in New Zealand would be best served if the traditional practice were allowed to continue.