PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2091, 28 May 1907, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Press Association —Copyright. ( RUGBY " UNION COMMENDED. • SYDNEY, May 27. j

The Daily Telegraph commends the Now Zealand Rugby Union’s'uttitudo towards professionalism. Received May 27, 12.38 p.m. SYDNEY, May 27. 1

The Council of the Rugby Union passed the following resolution tonight:—“That this Council conveys to the Now Zealand Rugby Union its hearty appreciation of the action taken in reference to the suggested visit of a professional team to England, being of opinion that such action is in the best intoTesjt of tlio game.”

, ... i : Press Association. ■ AUCKLAND PLAYERS IN j REVOLT. | AUCKLAND, yesterday. j At the conclusion of the Cup matches on Saturday twelve Auckland players, G. Tyler, Dunning, Seeling, Francis, Nicholson, Cunningham, Trevarthan, N. Smith, R. Wynyard, R. Magee, G. Mulett, and Todd, nominated for the North Island team, were called together in the presence of the Management Committee. The chairman explained the nature of the declaration required by the New Zealand Rugby Union, and each player in turn was asked to sign it and refused. They stated they would not be bound by the conditions laid down. They did not see why the New Zealand,* Union should ask them to sign such a document. In one or two instances the players intimated they had no intention of becoming professionals. AFFIDAVITS SIGNED. INVERCARGILL, yesterday. The four Southland representatives for the inter-island match have signed the Rugby Union’s hJfidavit'. The affidavit required by the N.Z: R.U. from players nominated for thl North v. South Island match lias been signed by E. Hughes, T. Clark, and A. Reid (Britannia Club), and E. Lang (Invercargill Club)., DUNEDIN, yesterday.

All four Otago “All Blacks,” Booth, Casey, Ma'cDonald, and Johnston, who were requested to sign the declaration issued by the New Zealand Union, have done so, and have been selected for £he inter-island match.

WELLINGTON MAN “IN THE KNOW.” REFUSES TO GIVE INFORMATION.

WELLINGTON, last night

At a meeting of the committee of the N.Z. Rugby Union to-night a letter was read which had been addressed by the secretary of the Union to H. H. Baskiville, of Wellington. In this the secretary stated that the Union had reason to believe that he had information upon the proposed tour of professional footballers to England, and therefore summoned him, as a member of a city team, to attend the meeting of the Union. Baskiville, in reply, wrote that all information he had on the subject would be gained from the newspapers in a few weeks. Meantime he was bound not to divulge it.

The Union, having considered the matter, dealt with Baskiville under rule 2, sub-section 1, clause 1, of the rules as to professionalism.

DISQUALIFICATION URGIJD. WANGANUI, last night,

The secretary of the Wanganui Rugby Union sent the following telegram to the New Zealand Rulgby this evening:—“My union is of opinion that those players not signing affidavits should be disqualified from playing this season. Feeling is very strong here.”