CONTROL OF RUGBY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1924, Page 8

CONTROL OF RUGBY.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM. OVERSEAS VIEW'S FAVOURED. By Telegraph.—Press Asen.—Copyright. Received Dec. 13, 5.5 p.m, London, Dec. 12. The Imperial Conference of the Home and Dominion Rugby Unions commenced this morning. During the luncheon adjournment Dr. Leonard Brown, who with Mr. A. C. Wallace represents New South Wales,, informed the Australian Press Association that a substantial measure of the oversea proposals was likely to be adopted. The Home unions were most considerate and sympathetic toward the Dominion delegates. The secretary of the International Rugby Board has issued a statement to the effect that the conference freely and frankly discussed the proposed alterations. * It is pointed out that the conference has no legislative power and consequently reached no definite decisions. A further conference, presumably, will be called after the unions have considered the report. Delegates are not disposed to disclose the trend of the discussions, although Dominion representatives expressed satisfaction at the attitude of the Home delegates towards what are regarded in the United Kingdom as radical reforms. Indications appear to point to substantial concessions in favour of the Dominion viewpoint.

A SECRET CONCLAVE.

HAVE LAWS BEEN ALTERED?

Received Dec. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 13. The Daily Express, commenting on the five hours’ Rugby conference, says the colourless communique gives no idea of certain vital recommendations which are to be embodied in the report to the various unions. No explanation is given of this attitude of secrecy, but it is understood one of the reasons is that the Home representatives do not wish yet to make public that the proposals for radical alterations in the laws of the game, as proposed by New Zealand and New South Wales, were agreed to while the conference has no legislative power. Probably the final opinions sooner or later will be emphasised in new laws. If tbe Home representatives have agreed that the laws should be adopted materially, it is difficult to understand their reluctance to make the fact public. Mr. Rowland Hill presided at the conference. Representatives of the four Home unions were present, together with Messrs. S. Wilson, S. Dean (New Zealand), Dr. Brown. A. C. Wallace (New South Wales), V. Cartwright and R. Fitzgerald (South Africa).