UNION WANTS EXPLANATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21086, 12 July 1938, Page 5

UNION WANTS EXPLANATION

No Accommodation for All Blacks “ Bungling ” Alleged Some criticism was forthcoming at last night’s meeting of the South Canterbury Rugby Union regarding the lack of accommodation for the All Blacks when they assembled in Wellington last week, and also regarding the selection of a player at the last minute to replace J. Dick.

The matter was introduced by Mr D. M. Webster, who said he thought that the Union should protest against the bungling of the accommodation for the All Blacks and that in future the New Zealand Union should make satisfactory arrangements to accommodate the team. They should also make proper arrangements for the replacing of players unable to go overseas. He had been given to understand that Wright, who was selected to replace Dick, was hardly fit for the Wellington team, and he had only been chosen because he lived in Wellington. The acting chairman (Mr A. B. Herdman) said that they did not know what happened and it would be better to ack for an explanation. South Canterbury had two representatives in the team and they wanted them looked after in a proper manner.

Mr A. Jackson moved that a letter be sent to the New Zealand Union requesting an explanation of the upset

which had occurred in the arrangements regarding the accommodating of the All Black team when it assembled in Wellington. Mr C. W. Keinan asked what object could be served by passing a motion of the sort suggested. They might be the only Union making a protest. Mr C. R. Cooper: Other Unions will take it up, and I will second the motion. We protested before about the lack of sufficient players for the South Island team, and we are within our rights in asking for an explanation.

Mr Keinan: They explained in the papers that someone had blundered. Mr A. C. Rippin: I agree with Mr Keinan that there is no need for us to take it up.

Mr C. L. Cutler: We have not got our cheque yet. Mr Rippen: The explanation was in the paper. They said that someone had made a mistake, and there is no need for us to get offside over nothing. Mr Keinan: In addition to that, they may have gone to a good deal of trouble to overcome it.

Mr Jackson: What we are asking for is an explanation. We are interested in the administration of football not only in South Canterbury, but throughout New Zealand, and the world for that matter. The explanation in the paners may be erroneous. They often are.

Mr Cutler moved as an amendment that the New Zealand Union be written to stating that the South Canterbray Union regretted the unfortunate

occurrence which had brought about a lack of accommodation and asking that steps be taken so that the happening should not occur again. Also that it be noted that when selecting future overseas teams, the necessary arrangements should be made for the selection of emergencies who would be available in the event of any of the selected players not being able to travel.

The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. The chairman declared the motion c rried on the voices, but Mr Cutler asked for a show of hands, and it was then seen that the voting was three for and three against. The chairman voted for the motion and declared it carried.