SPLIT MAY OCCUR IN RUGBY RANKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18000, 10 November 1926, Page 8

SPLIT MAY OCCUR IN RUGBY RANKS.

DOMINIONS’ CLAIM TO IMPROVED STATUS IS CAUSING HITCH. (Special to the “ Star " ' WELLINGTON. November 10 Tn view of the action of the International Rugby Board in refusing to include on the agenda for the Imperial Rugby Conference certain remits relative to the formation of an Imperial Advisory Board, added interest attaches to the opening of the conference. which is to take place in London next Saturday. According to instruction® which have been cabled to the New Zealand delegates. Messrs II Harris (Otago) and C. J. Wray (representative on the English Rugby Union), there i- every prospect of a dramatic scene, and ore which may lead to a big split in Rugby's ranks. When the business of the conference is commenced, the New Zealand delegates will ascertain if discussion on the question of an Imperial Advisory Board is to be permitted. If the powers that be say “ No,” then the New Zealand delegates will withdraw, and maybe the delegates from one or two other countries may do likewise Latest advice* from Home indicate that there is increased support for the claims of the dominions, the general opinion being that New Zealand, the country playing the leading part in the movement to have the control of the game more representative, is justlv entitled to recognition as a country and not as a union affiliated to one of the Home unions. The International Board has been subjected to a good deal of severe criticism for its persistence in refusing to acknowledge that New Zealand \and the other dominions are entitled to a better status Not a few warnings of trouble have been given, so that the International Board must be fully alive to the possibility of an upheaval if it pursues its present policy. Distinct Danger Ahead. A few weeks ago Mr Leonard R. Tosswill anticipated serious trouble ahead. “At the present time.” he said, “ there is a distinct danger of cleavage in the world of Rugby football. France and New Zealand are instances of two countries reported to be about to form separate unions not controlled by the existing authority. “In New Zealand, I believe, things are not so serious as they are said to be. However, unless direct representation is given to this great Dominion, with its forty or possibly sixty thousand players, matters may become more critical.” The possibility of a break away is certainly in the air. A hint of it, in fact, was given at this week’s meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union's Management Committee, when a member suggested a motion of no-confidence in the International Board as at present constituted. “We should not go as far as that just yet.” remarked the chairman (Mr S. S. Dean), “but later on we might do the same as France has done, and withdraw our affiliation. Probably South Africa and New South Wales would do the same.” Writing further of the unsatisfactor'* state of affairs existing at present, Mr Tosswill says: “Some members of the International Board are in favour of this (direct representation for the dominions). Sir G. Rowland Ilill has more than once expressed his sympathy with the project. On the other hand, certain countries are strongly opposed to any alteration in the present compo-i tion of the Board. Many old players have discussed this point with me. I , cannot recall a single one who was not in favour of giving the Dominions who play the game a direct share in the government of it. It has been alleged that this would mean drastic and revolutionary changes in the game—but why should it? Home countries would still have a majority of the votes It would be just as much within their power to veto anything contrary to the spirit or best interests of the game as in the existing conditions. On the other hand, such an extension of the scope of the governing body would have a very conciliatory effect on the Dominions. I have no doubt they would strengthen, not weaken, the board. They might well be the means of ventilating fresh proposals to the improvement of the game. “Much as we all love the game as it ir. we cannot blind ourselves to certain defects and difficulties which have arisen in most cases through the inevitable development in the direction of more scientific and faster methods. If anyone—whether from Scotland or South Africa—has something to suggest as a solution to these problems, why not give it a trial?” New Zealand’s Casa. Regarding the setting up of an Imperial Advisory Board, the New Zealand Rugby Union has evidently failed to convince the International Board in attaching the following note to the re- ” Rugby football has developed so greatly in recent years that whenever British influence has spread it is rapidly developing into an international- game. It is now being enthusiastically taken up in Canada, Victoria, Samoa. Fiji and in other places where it has.never been played before. It is therefore very essential that the controlling authorities of the game at Home should fully realise the Imperial aspect the game is a suming and keep closely in touch will; the development of the game in the different parts of the Empire. "This Board will l>e purely advisory in its capacity, and should be of great assistance to the parent body. We desire to see it ever remain a British game, and while we have no objection to France being consulted on such matter::. we would not welcome any system of control in which the representative® of the Empire Unions were not the controlling factor."