THE FUSION PROPOSAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16537, 22 September 1921, Page 6

THE FUSION PROPOSAL.

EXCHANGE OF LETTERS. A move towards the fusion of the Union and League Rugby forces of New 7 Zealand has been mad© by the president of the Canterbury Rugby Union (Mr S. F. Wilson), in a letter to Dr Thacker, M.P, who ia president of the League organisation in Canterbury. Dr Thacker has assured Mr Wilson of his sympathy with the movement, and the way appears to bo open for a settlement in the desired direction, which would merge the League game in a modified form of Union Rugby.

The first step towards a settlement was taken by Mr Wilson in the following letter to Dr Thacker, dated August

Th© visit of tho Springboks team to Christchurch, coupled with the good showing of the Canterbury representative team, has created so much interest in Rugby football iii Canterbury that I think the time might be opportune for us to consider our position regarding Rugby football in this province. Next season, representatives from France will visit us, and the following year probably a team from Great ' Britain ; then of course New Zealand must send our own players on tour to England, Africa and France. So far as I know the only difference of opinion in Canterbury between League and Rugby is a question of a few' rules. At the present time th© English Rugby Union is considering the question of giving New Zealand more power regarding local government, and it seems certain that in the near future we wall be abl© to play under rules that will be acceptable to all. That Rugby Union football is the national game of this Dominion is certain, and after all a few rules do not count for a great deal. The importance of Rugby from an Imperial and international standpoint very considerable- We

all know that a great amount of good has been accomplished in this direction by the recent visit of the South Africans. I would ask you, sir, as Mayor of this city as well as president of the Rugby League, to use your great influence to let us have a united Canterbury when our next season’s visitors arrive. Let us try and ‘look ahead and all unite to keep this province in the position our players have so ably placed us this B?a----son. I would ask you to appeal to the patriotism of all placers to bring about, this happy result and let us lead the way in New Zealand and show that though we may have differences of opinion regarding rules wo are all united when the honour of the province on the sports field is at stake.

This letter was sent with a covering note from Mr Wilson to the effect that the matter was private and represented his own personal opinion, and was not inspired by the Canterbury Rugby Union. No a cknowl edraent was received from Dr Thacker, but Mr Wilson followed the matter up by a note on September 12, expressing the belief that something might still bo don© in the direction he had indicated, and stating that he intended to make the suggestion publicly. In a personal interview with Dr Thacker at last Monday’s meeting of th© Lancaster Park Board Mr Wilson was informed by Dr Thacker that he had handed the original letter to the Rugby League with instructions that a reply should be sent to Mr Wilson. So far Mr Wilson has received no reply from the Rugby League, but yesterday he received the following letter from th© Town Clerk, dated September 20:—

I am directed by his Worship th© Mayor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of September 12 asking iiis assistance in bringing together the Rugby footballers in Canterbury. In repl.y I am to state that the Mayor is in sympathy with your preposal, and will be pleased to render what assistance he can, but he considers that any meeting between tho respective bodies should b© public.

Speaking to a “ Star ” reporter, Mr Wilson said h© felt that the position of said that he fait that th© position of Union Rugby in New Zealand was impregnable, and ho did not wish to be misunderstood in making hi 3 proposal; but he felt that it would be a very fine thing if the two codes could come together and present a united front to th© world in th© matter of Union R ugby. _