FOOTBALL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18817, 4 March 1931, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

ULTIMATUM FROM ENGLAND. INTERNATIONAL RULES MUST BE PLAYED. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 3. The Rugby Football Union of England has informed the New Zealand ! Union that, after hearing a report from Mr J. Baxter in detail about the recent tour of the Dominion by a British team, it is strongly of opinion that now the game is played throughout the Empire, there should be no exceptions anywhere in regard to rules. Uniformity is essential, therefore the English Union forthwith withdraws all dispensations, and instructs that its rules must be strictly adhered to. FRENCH UNION’S EXPULSION. United Press Association —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 2. The British Rugby officials’ announcement of the expulsion of France from the International championships after the present season on the grounds of lack of control of the game owing to the brutality of French play, created a sensation. The ban applies to fixtures against English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish teams, also clubs governed by these Unions. Paris officials expected this, but the public and Press are preparing for an outburst. SOUTH CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Management Committee of the South Canterbury Rugby Union was held last night. Present.Messrs H. H. Fraser( in the chair), W. J. Watson, J. Harley, J. Roseveare, G. Fairbrother, A. B. Rowlands, A. B. Herdman. Easter Fixtures' Applications were received from the Zingari and Star Clubs to play matches with Linwood and Sydenham on Fraser Park on Easter Saturday. Mr Harley suggested that where fixtures clashed, the Union should do as the Otago Union did and charge of the fixtures. He thought the clubs would agree to it. Mr Roseveare: “Clubs are up against it, and they should be given all the assistance possible.” After further discussion, it was decided to refer the matter to the Clubs concerned to confer, and in the event of a disagreement, the committee would decide the matter.

Broadcasting Matches. The secretary of the New* Zealand Rugby Union wrote stating that complaints had been received from several Unions to the effect that the broadcasting of matches in the bigger centres had detrimentally affected the attendance at matches at other centres than at which the bigger matches were being played. It was intended to refer the matter for further discussion at the annual general meeting of delegates, but in the meantime, his committee would be glad if the Union would advise what its experience had been during the past season, and also submit any suggestions which had to be made. The chairman said he was sure that the broadcasting of outside matches was detrimental to football locally, and he thought the delegates should be instructed to vote against the broadcasting of matches. It was decided to bring the matter forward at the annual meeting. Invitation From Marlborough. An invitation was received from the Marlborough Union for South Canterbury to play a match in Blenheim during the coming season. A return match would be played in 1932, when Marlborough intended to tour south. The letter was referred to the incoming committee. Dispensations Withdrawn. The secretary of the New Zealand Union forwarded a copy of a letter which had been received from the Rugby Football Union, Twickenham. By this it would be noted that the dispensations which were granted to the New Zealand Union had now been withdrawn, and the laws of the game, as printed in the English handbook, were to be observed. The writer stated that he desired to point out that Rule 2 of the Constitution of the New Zealand Rugby Union made it necessary to give immediate effect to the request contained in the English Union’s letter.

The letter from the English Union stated that it felt that the present was a fitting moment to refer to a matter which would have to be very seriously considered in the interests of Imperial Rugby football in the future. Every member of the Rugby Football Union was pledged to observe in the letter and spirit the by-laws, laws of the game, and rules as to professionalism. “We are of the strong opinion that now the game is played throughout the British Empire, there should be no exceptions anywhere,” continued the letter.

“We have found the particular dispensations once granted to you, of late a growing embarrassment in other Dominions, and are desirous of checking a growing tendency to take advantage of a special arrangement made with you which has shown itself elsewhere.

“There is further reason why uniformity is desirable, and even essential. The Rugby Football Union, in common with the Rugby Unions of Scotland, Ireland and Wales, has defintely declared its allegiance to the laws of the game as formulated by the International Rugby Football Board, with the result that the power of the parent body to allow another Union in membership with it to play a different code is totally inconsistent, and in fact impossible. “Therefore, my Union must now forthwith withdraw any such dispensations, and the laws of the game as printed in our handbook, must be strictly adhered to. In other words, all clubs or combinations of clubs affiiUated to the Rugby Football Union must play the game in strict accordance with its laws.” The chairman: “There you are now.” Mr Rowlands: “They got beaten, didn’t they?” (Laughter.) It was decided to refer the letter to the incoming committee. Annual Meeting. It was decided to hold the annual meeting at 7.30 on March 24.