FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2391, 5 January 1909, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE NORTHERN UNION GAME. VISIT OF BRITISH TEAM TO NEW ZEALAND. Wellington supporters of Northern Union football view with the utmost satisfaction the .proposal that a team of players representative of the Home Country should visit- the colonies next season. Interviewed by a “Dominion” reporter, .a prominent advocate of the new code declared that the time was just ripe for the projected tour. The results of the conference of delegates to the New Zealand Rugby Union showed that both players and spectators desired more attractive football than was possible under the old rules. “It would not surprise me,” he added, “if as ia. result of the proposed tour New. Zealand football -becomes more popular than the -older Rugby Jn the colonies.” -

It may not be generally known that tlie originator of the scheme which it is cabled the Northern Union Committee has approved is Air. J. J. Giltinan, the honorary secretary of the New South Wales Rugby League, ■and who is at present in England as manager of the “Kangaroos.” His scheme provides for nineteen matches in Australia, and six in New Zealand. He is confident that from a financial point of view the proposed tour would be a success. In his opinion the question, from a playing standpoint, needs no thought at all, “for the Australian public could and would support Northern Union football, the finest Rugby game in the whole world.” All that is now required to secure the sending of the team is an answer from New Zealand.

According to the “Athletic News,” tile projected tour was regarded iu Northern Union official and club circles as the problem of the hour. By some it. was thought that a postponeiuent of the visit until 1910 would be advisable, hut the majority were in favor of “striking the iron while it was hot.” What appeared to he a serious obstacle to.a tour in 1909 was the fact that the present season’s arrangements were made, and tho League and the Cup semi-finals and finals wore to take place in April,, in which month the team would require to leavo on tour. It was pointed out, however, that the 'difficulty might be overcome if the engagements were rearranged, so that the “stalwarts” should not meet each; other until the return of the tourists. With regard to this matter the Australians asked for reciprocity. They stated that they left .Sydney' before tlieir championship games were played. It was considered that events might so mature that only two teams might be needed to complete the present season’s engagements after the third week in April. Touching upon the question of profits of the tour, “Forward,” ia special writer in the journal mentioned, observed : —“Who, for instance, in 1905, would have imagined; that a colonial organisation would in 1908 offer' a guarantee o'± £3ot)o • for a definite number of matches to be played in New South. Wales and Queensland? This offor was actually made by Mr. J. J. Giltinan. The present Australian team have an allowance of 3s per day,- all expenses paid, and a bonus on tile profits at the end of the-tour. If this were possible with the Northern Union players I should anticipate an easy solution of the all-important question, but I have reason to believe that tlie union would insist on a fixed rate of remuneration with tlieir players for each match; and if any profit is made the balance to be handed over to tlie union treasurer. Another pomt winch would favor such a course is. that if payment were made per match the players would naturally pay' strict attention to training and condition. Some allowace would be made to the necessary reserves, but in a touring team compelled to carry substitutes for every position some payments ,by results would seen to bo essential.