ISSUE OF PASSES

Southland Times, Issue 22055, 30 June 1933, Page 8

ISSUE OF PASSES

EASTERN SUB-UNION DELEGATES DISCUSS CANCELLATION PARTIAL RESTORATION To consider a requisition whether passes were to be issued or to whom they were to be issued, a special meeting of delegates of the Eastern Southland Rugby Sub-Union .was held at Gore last evening. This action was the result of a motion carried by a meeting of the management committee three weeks ago cancelling all passes. The following delega’. . were present: Messrs A. A. Wilson, jun (Wyndham), H. G. Wallis, F. J. Townsend (Albion), G. Gordon (Pukerau), A. H. Davidson, C, M. Wilson (Pioneer), B. Scott, W. Leitch (Mataura), W. Chaplin, C. A. Redpath (Edcndale), L. A. McKenzie (Primary Schools), J. McC. Boyne (Gore High School), and F. Wallis, jun (Referees’ Association). There were also present: Messrs J. W. Aitken (president, in the chair), F. Wallis, sen, G. W. Whittingham, I. AV. Martin, F. M. Murray and R. S. Green (secretary). The president extended a welcome to the delegates and said there was no need for the discussion to be of an unfriendly nature. He ruled that _ the two points set down in the requisition were out of order and could not be proceeded with. Mr C. M. Wilson moved that it be an instruction to the management committee to restore passes. The meeting of delegates had been called because it was considered that the action in cancelling the passes had been hasty and ill-considered, as witness of this, at the last meeting the committee had restored certain passes. The list of passes issued totalled 66. All of these passes would not be used each week for club games, but they might be used for representative games. The treasurer (Mr H. G. Wallis) had stampeded the committee by painting a very gloomy picture of the reduced revenue. The speaker reminded the meeting that expenses had been drastically reduced and the position was not serious. Mr B. Scott seconded the recommendation. The chairman ruled that the motion was not acceptable as an instruction, but he would accept a recommendation. Mr Wilson said he had taken legal advice and he had been informed that it was competent for the meeting to instruct the committee. The chairman ruled that he would not accept an instruction, whereupon Mr Wilson amended his motion to a recommendation.

Seventy Passes Issued. Mr F. Wallis, sen., said that_ too much appeared to have been made of this matter, and it was as well that a meeting of delegates had been called so that it could be cleared up. When it had been found that 70 passes had been issued it had been decided to cancel all passes so that _ more care could be exercised in their issue. It was certainly not the intention that all passes should be permanently cancelled, as it was recognized that a certain number of passes should be issued. He agreed with the chairman that the first resolution was out of order. It would be an intolerable position if any action of the mangement committee could be overruled. Mr F. Wallis, jun. said the Referees Association had instructed him definitely on the matter that 60 passes was out of the question in a small community. The referees’ privileges had been cancelled and they were of the opinion that in view of the state of the finances the Press was entiled to passes and that active referees should be in the same position. Other cases could perhaps "be met by the issue of a pass on particular days. Junior coaches were in a different position from senior coaches and they were perhaps entitled to consideration. Mr McKenzie said he had been a coach for about 20 years and he considered that it was a courteous recognition of the services of coaches in issuing passes to them. Referees also were entitled to passes. Mr Davidson said the Pioneer Club was in favour of a reissue of passes. To cancel them in the middle of the season was a thunderbolt. Such action should have been taken at the beginning or the end of the season. Mr Townsend said the issue of passes had got beyond reasonable limits. The Albion Club considered that referees and the Press were entitled to passes and a committee could consider other sections. Junior coaches in particular were entitled to consideration as they were concerned with their own teams’ matches and did not watch the senior games. Mr Gordon said the Pukerau Club had considered that too many passes had been issued, but it was of the opinion that the action had been too drastic. Mrs A. A. Wilson, jun., said the Wyndham Club was opposed to the cancellation of passes. The treasurer’s statement had not shown an undue reduction in revenue. “Unreasonable Action.” Mr Redpath said the Edendale Club considered that the action of the committee had been unreasonable. One week additional passes had been issued and next week all had been cancelled. The finances of the sub-union were not in a serious position. It had adequate reserves which could be drawn on in a time of need. Mr Scott said the Mataura Club was opposed to cancellation and considered that the sub-union’s action was neither reasonable nor necessary Mr Murray said he considered that the members of the management committee did sufficient for the game to justify the issue of a pass. The chairman impressed upon delegates the fact that all members of the sub-union had the interest of football at heart. The committee had found that the finances were dwindling largely as the result of reduced gate charges. Although the reserves were substantial they were the sub-union’s only assets. The committee recognized and appreciated the good work done by referees and club coaches and when the position was more favourable it would certainly restore passes to those entitled to them. Mr F. Wallis, sen., moved as an amendment: “After hearing the explanation of the committee’s action and objects, we are quite satisfied to leave the matter in its hands. We feel that it will give every consideration to those cases where passes should be given and will not do anything that will be unreasonable either against the interests of the sub-union or the sport generally.” Mr H. G. Wallis seconded the amendment, which was lost by 10 votes to 5. The motion was carried by 9 votes to 6. The question was subsequently considered by the management committee, Mr C. M. Wilson moving that all passes be reinstated. The chairman ruled that the motion was not acceptable without notice, and it was agreed to consider each classification separately on its merits. It was decided to grant passes as follows:—Press (6), Southland Union (5), A. and P. Association grounds committee (1), returned soldier (1),

junior selectors (3), referees (9) —a total of 25. It was also agreed to issue daily passes to club coaches. It was decided not to issue passes to the executive, medical practitioners and the district grounds committee.