FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144667, 29 April 1915, Page 4

FOOTBALL.

THE LEAGUE GAME. rzn muss association. AUCKLAND. April 28. At a meeting of the New Zealand Rugbv Football League to-night, the proposed Australian lour, which lias been the subject of so much criticism, was discussed*. The matter was brought up bv the reading of a. cablegram from the secretary of the New South Males Ijeague, which stated that his committee had decided to adhere to the original programme. Mr. James Carlow, president of the New Zealand League, explained that as an invitation was received to tour Australia, the li i>t match to he played in Sydney on Juno 5, the New Zealand League had agreed to tour, providing matches were not played until August. They had all seen the criticism in regard to the Now Zealand Leagues acceptance of the invitation. Critics seemed to he of the opinion that the object of the tour was to make money, hue such was not the case. The New Zealand League's idea was simply to repay a visit made by tho New South Wales team last year. They were not out to make money, hut to foster the game. Ho advocated that the New Zealand League'.', share of the profits should he handed over to the Now Zealand Belgian Fund, hut, of enniso, could not say what tho NoSv South Wales League would do with its sharp ol the profits, lie proposed that, provided the New South Wales. League, would agree to the dates suggested by the New Zealand League, the tour should take plaee, and that the tier proceeds ho handed over to the New Zealand Belgian Fund. .Mr. A. Gladding, in sevomling the resolution, said the Sydney papers bad not looked at tho mutter in the right light. The New Zealand League would not do anything in stop recruiting. -Mr. W. \V. .M"Laron said f he ehallettgo came from New South Wales, and, although the Sydney papers hud made a groat -song about this tour, nothing hud been said about other towns and llte eoiiliunanee of raping, lie resented the biased Press criticism, and seal they were not out' fur the particular purpose of making money. Fontbull tended to keep men healthy in body and mind.

Mr. 11.I 1 . S. Usher stated that the Belgian Fund would benefit to the extent of nearly £SOO if the tour was as successful as last season’s. The motion was carried unanimously.

The matter was also discussed by the Auckland branch of the League, which also met to-night, and it- was unanimously resolved that in view of the present crisis, and the depletion of representative ranks, the time was inopportune to send a team to Australia.