REP. MATCHES AND THE RUGBY UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 81, 9 August 1913, Page 6

REP. MATCHES AND THE RUGBY UNION.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir, — Die Rugby Union arc treating Stratford very “dirty.” I think we humid have at least one rep. match played here; but no, New Plymouth seems to ho the only place in Taranaki where these matches are played. Why should wo not have the “B” match with Auckland played here, especially after the disappointment of the A and B trial match. By the way, why were the absentee players not made a lesson of for disobeying the management? Afraid to drive them into the League game, eh? Reverting to a rep. match for Stratford. There seems to bo no reason why wo should not have one. We have a ground (the A. afid P.) second to none, and what is more Stratford is the most

central town in which to play these matches. , If Stratford people wish to see a match in New Plymouth they have to lose a whole day, whereas, if they were played here New Plymouth people would only need to lose half a day. People could also come here from Hawora and only lost half a day, instead of a day if they went to Now Plymouth. Then, again, why did the Rugby Union order the play-off between Tnkiipa and Waimato to bo played at Eltharn ? A place that can’t ■ run a Rugby team, but it can boast of a pro. team. Is it because they are trying to soft soap Eltharn people and gain their patronage? which will be a very bard thing to do now they have lost it. I will venture to sav

that there will be more pro. teams in the field next season than ever before, and if the Rugby Union treat the Stratford public and players as thoyhave douC in the past, I shouldn’t lie surprised to see Stratford following in Eltham’s footsteps. The pro. game lias got a good hold on the other

side. This cannot he denied. When the Maori team visited there lately the largest attendance they could draw was between 4000 and 5000, whereas the pros, could muster -10,000. It is about time the, Rugby Union woke up to the fact that Rugby is being pushed out simply by a few who pull the wires to suit themselves, ami don’t consider the public or players at all. Is it any wonder that the Union is always on the verge of bankruptcy whens nob a state of affairs exists? Wake up, Southern members of the Union, and see if you can get a match or two played in the most central town, Stratford.—l am, etc.., FAIR PLAY. Stratford, August 8. 1913.