Suggestions For Maoris To Retain Rugby Interest

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 June 1949, Page 6

Suggestions For Maoris To Retain Rugby Interest

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PAI— With the intention of “providing a further outlet for Maori Rugby talent and to provide an attraction for Maori Rugby enthusiasts and to retain their interest in the code,” Mr R. M. Love- secretary’ of the Maori Advisory Board, forwarded suggestions to the management committee of the Wellington Rugby Union for the organisation of inter-union Maori matches. Mr Love wrote in the capacity of a convener. The management committee tonight agreed in principle to the suggestions, with the possibility of a combined Wellington - Bush-Horowhenua - Wai" rarapa versus Taranaki-King Country, or versus Wanganui-Manawatu match as a curtain-raiser to one of the September representative fixtures in Wellington. The committee decided that the selection and organisation should be the responsibility of the Maoris, and that there would be no expense to the union unless previously agreed to. Mr Love stated it was hoped to play an opening fixture between a Wellington Maori team and a combined Horowhenua-Bush-Wairarapa Maori team at Otaki on July 30. He made several suggestions for the organisation of such matches.