RUGBY AND THE WAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17013, 11 April 1923, Page 4

RUGBY AND THE WAR.

BARRING DEFAULTERS. .Members of the management commit tee of the Canterbury Rugby i Union at last evening's meeting dis cussed the question of military default J ers. " ; A circular letter from the New Zo.\ 1 land Union gave the text of an appeal! , by the Returned Soldiers’ Association I that miiitarv defaulters should be i barred from playing Rugby football. Mr W. Britten asked who was to i give the information about .men. being ] military defaulters. Mould i 1 be lan j to bar one man and to allow a not. he- j to piav because, his record was no*, j known ? Mr A. Dev said that, if the union j endorsed the principle, clubs could no*, j play men who were known to be luili 1 tary defaulters. Mr R. Beat tie said be did not ap J prove of the idea. The union should ; not interfere with the sport oi men I who were conscientious objectors. | Mr Dev said that. it . was proposed to j debar militarv defaulters who had been I deprived of their civil rights. ft wa - i meant to deal with men wh > had j dodged the war, and the proposal ha i j been endorsed bv the New- Zen land i Union. Mr Beattie moved, and Mr YY, Brit | ten seconded, that the Canterbury j U nion should take no action. nient that the 'lotto,- should !,:• referred back to the New Zealand Union io" consideration by delegates at the an * mini meeting. Mr R. It. North seconded the amend men t. The amendment was carried on the .Member* then di-vu-aed the'-question •whether Cunt* :bu:w Uufon delegate- i should be instructed i.o vote one wav { w the other. M r Dev said lie was against t icing j the hands o 1 delegates. !fc was to solved to give the delegates ! ,* free hand.