N.Z. RUGBY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20603, 2 May 1935, Page 9

N.Z. RUGBY.

Chairman of Union Optimistic. ALL BLACKS’ TOUR. DOES NOT THINK STANDARD HAS DETERIORATED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. In his opening address at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, the chairman (Mr S. S. Dean) first made fitting reference to the death of the president (Dr P. F. M'Evedy), also to the deaths of Mr W. Empson and Air G. H. Mason, past-presidents. With reference to the All Blacks’ tour of Britain, he said although there appeared to be a feeling amongst a section of the people that the standard °f Rugby had deteriorated in the Dominion and that the team selected would not be up to the standard of its predecessors, he did not subscribe to that belief. Most of the same arguments as those used to-day were in evidence prior to the selection of the 1905 and 1924 teams, but all were aw..:e of the achievements of both those teams. Players in the coming tour would develop, and he was sure they would return with greatly enhanced reputations.

4 ‘ Sport in general seems to be in such a chaotic state throughout the world now that an excellent opportunity presents itself in this tour to show the rest of the world that we play the game solely for the game’s sake and for the friendships Rugby football brings us.” Air Dean did not have any personal misgivings in regard to the Maori team’s tour of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. He spoke also of sending two delegates to a conference with England, to be followed by a conference with the four Home unions comprising the International Board, namely, England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. South African Visit.

The South African Board had acan invitation to tour Australia and New Zealand in the 1936 season, and negotiations between New Zealand and Australia regarding this tour were proceeding. New Zealand was now awaiting Australia’s acceptance of the definite proposals submitted. With regard to finances, he said that although there was a loss of £577 15s 4d on the year’s working, the general finances were in a healthy condition, the balance-sheet showing an excess of assets over liabilities of £37,319 10s Id. Since the publication of the balancesheet, interest shown as outstanding by the West Coast, Poverty Bay and Afanawatu Unions had been paid in full, and an amount on account from the Auckland and Thames Unions. He paid a tribute to the services of Air Cecil J. Wray on the Rugby Football Union.

Officers were elected as follows: Patron, the Governor-General, Lord Galway: president. Mr D. Stuart (Otago); vice-presidents, the Hon J. Al’Leod (Taranaki), Dr W. S. Seed (Canterbury), the Rev Father Riordan (Horowhenua), and Messrs K. S. Williams, M.P. (East Coast). L. J. Brake (North Auckland), H. Frost iAuckland), G. P. Lindsay (Thames \Tilley), L. Powell (Waikato), J. A. Guinness (Bay of Plenty), J. Quirk (Wanranui). AI. D. Smith (Hawke's Bay), R. J. Smith (Bush Districts), J. L. Donovan (Wairarapa), W. F. Hornig (WellingA. Ar. Ongley (Manawatu), M. Al’Kenzie (Marlborough), R. J. Eyre (Nelson), A. S. Parker (Poverty Bay), K. J. Holyoake, Af.P. (Golden Bay, Alotueka). A. G. Colvil (Buller), T O’Donnell (West Coast), A. G. Knowles (South Canterbury), J. B. W T ootton (Otago), H. S. Strong (Southland), L. V. Carmine (King Country), J. C. C. AFLoughlan (Ashburton), A. Gilchrist (North Otago) ; management committee, Messrs S. S. Dean, T. A. Fletcher, W. J. Wallace. A. C. Kitto. F. T. Glasgow, E. S. Hylton, A. Al’Donald; honorary treasurer, Mr H. S. Leith; appeal council, Alessrs F. H. Campbell, J. S. Hutchison and F. H. Sincock; auditor, Mr O. Kember.