Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. With which is incorporated the Weekly Standard Thursday, June 23, 1904. A WORD TO THE RUGBY UNION

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 746, 23 June 1904, Page 6

Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW AND Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. With which is incorporated the Weekly Standard Thursday, June 23, 1904. A WORD TO THE RUGBY UNION

We have time after time drawn attentio 11 to the increasing amount of rough play which is indulged in by footballers taking part in the great winter game. Hardly a Saturday passes but there is some story to be told of injuries of a more or less severe character which some unfortunate player has received. All too frequently these result either in permanent disablement or the death of the injured player. This unfortunately proved the case last week in Wellington, where a young man named Edgar Thomson, received a kick from an opponent when stooping to pick up the ball, which caused his death. At the subsequent enquiry the Coroner made a few remarks which are worth recording. Mr Ashcroft said he was not disposed to think that games could be carried on without some danger, but he must

confess that the number of accidents

which had been reported lately suggested that the present methods of playing the Rugby game were rather severe. He did not think that any alteration of the rules would have affected the case they had been considering, but it seemed to him that where life was at stake there should be the greatest care to see that no more force was used in the play than was absolutely necessary. He did not think for a moment that there was wilful intent on the part of the young man who injured deceased, but in the excitement of the game he probably acted rashly. He thought that the rules of the game might be amended to save accidents as far as possible There were so many mishaps now that he could not help thinking it was a game that parents would be very shy in allowing their children to participate in. A very old player had told him that he would not think of allowing a son of his to go in for it. He thought there was a different class of men playing in this day. “ I should like to see,” added the coroner, “ a solemn warning administrated to the leaders of football, because I cannot see that human nature is benefited by a savage game which leads to a large percentage of injuries and deaths.” The Executive of the Union will do well to take these remarks to heart, and they should also bear in mind what SubInspector Donovan said at the same inquest. He pointed out that it would be a good thing for footballers to remember that any act which caused death or serious injury came within the provisions of the criminal code. It had been laid down in one celebrated case that it was not material to consider whether the act which caused death was, or was not, in accordance with the rules and practices of the game, and he considered that the authorities should take the matter in hand, and suppress anything that was improper, whether the rules permitted it or not. This is fairly plain talking, but it must be honestly admitted that the case was not in any way exaggerated. We yield to no one in our love for the good old game of Rugby, but it must be apparent to all that abuses have crept in which must be at once eradicated. To the Rugby Union we look to see that prompt steps are taken to stamp out this growing evil and we have the utmost confidence that the controlling body will rise to the occasion. It is not a question that can be shelved much longer, but should be dealt with at once. The referee at present has the power to order any i layer off the field who indulges in rough play, but he generally seems very loth to exercise his prerogative. The Union should instruct referees that they must carefully look out for any breaches of the rules in this connection, and also the line umpire might be given increased powers, for the referee cannot be omnipresent. If any player is reported for rough play the Union will then have to deal out a severe sentence, and the one we would advocate is “ suspension for life ” This may seem at first glance to be unduly harsh, but a moment’s reflection will convince the sceptic that this is not the case. If any player cannot control his temper and plays a rough game he is manifestly unfit to take part in the pastime, for the results of such play are unfortunately only too apparent. The rules governing the game are in need of very careful revision in this respect If the Rugby Union refuses to take the matter up properly, which, however, we do not for a moment think will be the case, then there will always be the danger of the police intervening, and taking steps to ensure the safety of players. We ask the Executive to immediately deal with this important question, for on their action the future prosperity of the game entirely depends.