PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17015, 13 April 1923, Page 8

PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOOTBALL.

EXCLUSION OF MARISTS. The action of the Public Schools’ Association in refusing to accept entries from denominational schools was the subject of discussion at a special meeting of the Maiists’ Rugby Football Club last evening in the Marists’ School. There was a very large attendance, over which Brother Phelan presided. In his introductory remarks the chairman said that so far no action had been taken in the matter by the Marists. The Rugby Union had stated that their hands were tied. a s they had nothing to do with the control of the schools’ competitions. In order to give a lead in the matter, tile speaker hod put in ari application for a senior and a light grade team to play in the school competitions. The union had since met. but the Public Schools’ Association had not. He understood that that, body would probably do .so shortly. It appeared that the Rugby Union were anxious to do all they could to give the Marists boys a game. Mr G. Payne, a delegate from the Mariste dub to the Rugby Union, said the Public Schools Association snapped their fingers at the Rugby Union, wlu> were powerless in the matter. He understood that the committee of the association met on Wednesday night; there was thus hardly time to find out what attitude had been taken up. He believed that it would bo to the advantage of Marists if a light-weight competition was started, which would include some of the secondary schools. Mr B. J. M’Kenna moved that further consideration of the matter be deferred until such time as the Marists Club received information from the Public Schools’ Association as to whether or not they would accept the club's nominations. Mr M’Kenna suggested that the Marists* team should play on Saturday. . The motion was seconded by Mr Payne, who said that no other action was open to the club. Mr J. Coffey said there was no need for the Rugby Union to hand over the control of the competitions, to any other body. Other sports organisations were able to control the competitions connected with their particular sport. He moved an amendment to the effect that until the Public Schools’ Association accept ed the Marists’ nominations the Rugbv Union be requested to withdraw all grants to the association.

The amendment was secondedMr M’Kenna said that, having heard what Mr Payne had t-o say concerning the attitude of the union, and seeing that that body did not know the present position was going to arise when they handed over the control of the achools’ competitions to the association. he thought it would be unwise for Mr Coffey’s amendment to go forward.

In reply to a question as to whethei it was not a fact that a member of tk» committee .set up by the Rugby Union t;> report on the matter of starting t light-weight mid-week competition i* the event of the association failing to accept the Marists' School teams, was also a member of the association, th« chairman replied that such was the case.

Mr F, Smyth said that the Marists undoubtedly had a grievance, but it was not with the Rugby Union. The point was that the union had handed over control of the competitions to the Public. Schools’ Association, who were mean enough to take advantage of the wording of the constitution to exclude the Marists School. Mr J. H. Johnston said that if the seniors were to stand out of the competitions it would be a. mistake as a certain number of juniors might then go up, and this might result in the breaking up of the Marisfc Old Boys’ Association. Mr Coffey then withdrew his motion. Mr M’Kenna said that unity was required in the Marists’ Club at the present time, not dissert) t>i on. The Rugby Union had no control of the Public Schools’ Association, and was not likely to have until the wording of the constitution waa altered. The seconder of Mr Coffey’s amendment agreeing to it being withdrawn, this was done, and the motion was carried .