Auckland Rugby League Considers Lifting of Ban

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 72, 16 June 1927, Page 6

Auckland Rugby League Considers Lifting of Ban

WILL AWAIT ACTION BY NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS TO PLAYERS The Auckland Rugby League met last evening and discussed the lifting of the residential qualification by the English League with regard to New Zealand players. JN opening the subject for discussion, the chairman (Mr. W. J. Hammill) said that the Advisory Committee had not had the opportunity of discussing the subject, but it was generally felt that the Auckland League should join with the Canterbury League in making a strong protest. He himself was of the opinion that the New Zealand Council should be asked to approach the English League with the object of persuading it to defer consideration of the lifting of the ban. Mr. Soloman: Well, we have got just what we have been looking for. If we had granted the transfers to Brown and Davidson the ban would not have been lifted. Mr. J. J. Sutherland said that when the question of transfers was first brought forward the New Zealand Council should have then got to work in coming to an understanding with England. It was a serious question and the Auckland League should not move until they knew exactly where they stood. “We should feel our way before we co-operate with Australia, for that could only mean to virtually dictate to England, which is our parent body.” Mr. Stallworthy r It would assist greatly if both New Zealand and Australia, would combine. Mr. Soloman: Oh, let us look at it in a properlight; don’t let us hoodwink the affair. The reason why we want to keep Brown and Davidson in our midst is to swell the gates at Carlaw Park, and Wigan wants them to help swell the gates at Wigan. In our junior football to-day we have men fit and propeifcto take the place of any player. Mr. C. Adamson said that on question of principle he was certainly opposed to the granting of the transfers, but it seemed only fair that now the English League had raised the restriction, the Auckland League should recognise the services of these two men who had done so much for the League in New Zealand. Any .action taken in regard to the move made by the English League would now be the work pf the New Zealand Council.

It was finally decided to await action by the New Zealand Council and in the meantime arrangements would be made for presentations to Brown and Davidson.