FOOTBALL

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1240, 22 January 1914, Page 33

FOOTBALL

c THE LEAGUE GAME.

Perhaps some explanation is due to the players and followers of the code in Auckland regarding what the suspended officials intend doing during the coming season. According to the rules under which they are governed and under those which they drew up and passed themselves, they must accept the inevitable and resign by handing over the affairs of the League to their successors. The rule in question, which, incidentally, is the first set up in the book of rules of the old Auckland League, reads as follows: “It shall be a member of and

be under the control of the New Zealand Rugby Football League.” According to this rule, and upon a fair interpretation of it, the suspended Council cannot do anything but allow their successors to take up the reins of office during their suspension. Certainly they cannot override the decision of the New Zealand Council nor flout its authority.

Another rule bearing on the case from which the disqualification emanated distinctly states that the power to disqualify a player is only subject to confirmation by the New Zealand Council. If, then, that body refuses to confirm the moving body cannot give effect to its motion. It is certainly hard to understand why the suspended League persist in endeavouring to override the opinions of the governing body and set up for themselves the position of wronged martyrs. For the good of the game, and certainly in giving effect to their own laws, they must accept the position of their own making and let the new-ly-elected Council carry out the work of the League. To protest is useless, and saner counsels must prevail. Regarding the newiy-elected Auckland League, everything savours for a busy season, and from the earnest endeavours of the present officials no stone is being left unturned to make tne followers or the game satisfied with perhaps a welcome change. The players must recognise that unionism is strength, and by sticking together and playing the game they will be rewarded with a good season. What the opinions are where sympathies lie the players must all recognise a governing body and a supreme council; and in endeavouring to override the ruling of a superior body it means suicide and distinctly crying the death-knell of the game in Auckland.

There is another aspect of the case which the players would do well to notice, and that is to be recognised by other provincial leagues in New Zealand and Australia they must be affiliated to the New Zealand Council, and only through the Auckland League approved of by the New Zealand Council. It is therefore imperative that the wiser counsels must prevail. For the good of the game, which has taken years of working up to its present position, let those who have the welfare of the game at heart sink any divided opinions and get together by playing the game.

We are quite sure that the personnel of the new League are not antagonistic to the suspended League officials, but rather they are accepting responsibilities and giving hours of hard work to keep the game alive in the interests of the players generally.