THE NORTHERN UNION GAME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9319, 20 August 1908, Page 1

THE NORTHERN UNION GAME.

The Timaru correspondent or tne " Lyttelton Times " reports that a movement in favour, of the institution of the Northern Union game is on foot in South Canterbury, the movers being men who have been keenly interested in Rugby. They complain of the policy of the New Zealand Rugby union, which, they say, is to accumulate money at the expense of affiliated unions, and they express dissatisfaction with the methods of. the South Canterbury itugby Union. Should the game be started in South Canterbury next year, it is said that fully a dozen of the men comprising the team which toured the North Island .will play under Northern Union rules, while a large proportion of the members of at least two of the senior clubs will support it, and it is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in forming two clubs, each olaying a senior team, in Timaru, while Temuka is expected to' provide a third. Support has also been promised by one or more of the junior clubs. It is stated that the Northern Union game is fast and open, with no liner work and little scrumming, and in every way is much more attractive to spectators than the Rugby game, so that the " gates " ai'o expected to be irfore than sufficient to meet working expenses. In 'order to put the game on a footing, one enthusiast has promised to furnish £50, which with other promises will make fully £100. This will easily coyerthe rent of playing grounds, which it is howed to acquire by obtaining the __ use of the sports ground in the Domain, and perhaps of the Caledonian Grounds by outbidding the Rneby Union. It is the purpose of the Northern Union players to preserve their 6tatns as amateurs with the exception that, when sent on tour, members of representative teams will probably receive eisrht shillings Per dav to compensate them for their lons of time. It is considered unreasoTiPDle to expect junior and lower grade pi avers to spend four or five sMllino's every week or two for travelling expenses, and there is a proposal to pay half the exnenses of these teams. Any other profits wijl b© used to assist the eluTvs jv, /^/v^ting training sheds and other b"ndinors. Whether or rot the eanie will actual.lv be commenced in the district cannot be stated with any decree of certainty, but the fact remains fhat ttipV-e is a larse section of dissatisfied footballers who are si id to be only waiting for a le^d to make the change.