TWO OR THREE?

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 66, 22 March 1929, Page 5

TWO OR THREE?

DIVISIONS OF REFEREES' BODY. ~,

PROPOSAL FOR CREATION OF

TWO DEFEATED.

A proposal to create two divisions of the Referees' Association instead of three, as at present, wa s defeated at last night's annual meeting. Notice of Stnotjou from the northern division had been received, but there was a question as to whether it had been lodged in time. WAS IT TOO LATE? The secretary (Mr, R. R. Tyrer) said that, according to his reading of the rules, the notice of motion had been given too late... It was unfortunate, as he understood that notice had been lodged with the northern secretary in plenty of time. The rules called for furteen days' notice, but notice had only reached him. on March 12th. As he read the rules, the motion could be brought on only if a majority of; the members agreed. Perhaps, however, if a majority of those present agreed to take the motion, no person not present Avould make any objection, but he was afraid that there would be room lor sue an objection. He had no feeling in the matter, and would move that the motion be considered by the meeting. Mr. E. Jackson seconded. On being put to the meeting a large number of hands were put up in favour, but one hand went up in opposition, and the chairman ruled l{ha.l the motion could not \come forward, as the decision was not unanimous, Mr. Eggleton said the decision seemed to be merely shuffling. If the motion was not brought on that evening, he would take steps to call a special general meeting for. consideration of it. The objector who had recorded his vote against the proposal agreed to withdraw his vote, in order to save the expense of a further meeting. THE MOTION. The secretary then read the motion, which set out that rule 6 be deleted, and replaced by a new mle, providing for two senior |a|ppaint-

ment boards, one for North Taranaki and one for South Taranaki, appointed by the North Taranaki R.R.A. and the South R.R.A.

The boards will appoint referees for senior matches. Each board will classify in its district and promote referees from junior to senior. Referees for championship play-offs iska-ll be appointed by the board in whose district the match is played. Tho Central junior appointment board will bo retained and will appoint referees for games in its district. Any Central junior referee desiring senior status should be classified by the northern board. Referees for representative matches shall be appointed by the board in whose district the match is played. BETTER SERVICES. In moving the- motion, Mr. Eggleton said that the present, appointment board was too scattered, and it w.as out of touch with local conditions. The two proposed boards would give, better service. Tile Association's board should have more say in the selection of referees for representative matches. He did not favour the Rugby Union selecting these referees. Mr. A. Davies seconded.

Mr. Guy said that most play-offs were held in Kitham, so that the northern board would alway s appoint the referee.

Mr. Furrie said nobody had fought harder than he had for an alteration of the system of appointing representative referees. He wanted to see a new system, but the new system would be something better than that proposed in the motion. Ho could not see that there was any force in the contention that the present board was out of touch with local conditions. -Mr. 11. O. Johnson said the motion was not at siH satisfactory. It was a poor attempt after twelve months' ruminating. There was a great lack of precise definitions. It looked a little as if the northern appointment hoard would ho appoint* <>d solely by the present northern division. The proposal would mean splitting tjhe Taranaki Association into two bodies, which would have nothing in common. Replying to the discussion Mr. Eggleton claimed that the present scheme made for lack of cohesion,

and that the new scheme would overcome this.

The voting was 19 in favour and 13 against. As a four-fifths majority was required the motion was lost.

Mr. Eggleton entered a protest against the provision for four-fifths majority. As far as he could see the affairs of the Association were being dominated by a small-minor-ity. It meant that there was only one division in Taranaki —the Central—and the sooner they took over the full control of everything the better.

TO AITER MAJORITY. Mi'. "Guy gave notice to move at next annual meeting that, in the case of alterations to rules, 55 per cent, of votes cast be required to carrv a motion.

Mr. Davies said he would have great pleasure in seconding the mot-