Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 2 July 1938, page 1


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League football proceeded as usual today in spite of the withdrawal of their services by field, boundary and goal umpires who had been under engagement to the controlling body throughout

*. the season. Today's central umpires Weve:-lAt the _W.A.C.A., Keith Hough; at iJerth Oval johnny Grigg; at Fremantle, Frank Morris; at Leeder* ville, W. Thomas. Tlioir namPd TlMff IlPRIT

kept a strict secret but, as soon as they appeared on the various grounds, their identity as former players was quickly established. It was intended to provide boundary umpires from among players and goal officials £rom among officers of the league clubs. It is staled that the league is being; overwhelmed with applications for permanent appointment. The umpires consider they have been harshly treated by the league, claim that their move for, increased fees is just. CLAIM VICTIMISATION * Today they complained thai one of (heir members had been victimised. \ Fact that the special meetings of

the Umpires' Association and the league, held last night, failed to i end the deadlock, sya.s.n.ot ..ttaex-- j , pected. j Members of the Independent Um-j pires' Board (Messrs. T. F. Da vies, j tchairman; C. G. Norton, F. W. Mann. | A. D. Mclntyre. and N. Giles) were j present at. the jeague discussion by ar- j rangement. The debate was in camera, j 'SITTING TIGHT' Afterwards the board members went to the room in which the umpires were meeting, and :t soon became known that both bodies were 'sitting tight.' In the absence of the league president (Mr. W. Stooke), who was indisposed. Mr. F. D. Bcok presided. On behalf of the league an official statement was issued afterwards explaining :hat following the report made by the board subsequent to the interview with the umpires, it was decided to advise the umpires on the lisl that their ultimatum (that they would not act on and after today), delivered on Thursday, must be regarded in the iight ol a resignation; that the resignations of the umpires had been accepted with regret, and that they were at liberty to apply for any vacant position. H was also resolved that fresh appointments be made from applications received, and that the league executive be empowered to collaborate with the UmpiresBoard as might be necessary. By public advertisement the league *, has already called for applications for appointment at rates laid down in the league rules-the fees which were accepted at the start of the season and

? wan wnicn trie regular umpires have | expressed themselves dissatisfied. I When questioned regarding the arIf rangements made for the carrving on I of todays games Mr. W. R. Orr', league 1 secretary, did not go into details but I said, that all was in readiness to conI ouct the games as usual. DELAY DENIED I Repudiating suggestions that the I -, league had unwarrantably delayed the I dealings .with the umpires he said that I certain information was obtained from I the Eastern States and it was places befoie the league immediately. f 'We were Riven no opportunity / to put the points advanced by the umpires' representatives at Wednesday's conference before the league,' Mr. Orr said, 'although it was indicatctd to them that the league would carefully consider ! I them at ils meeting early next I xveek.' j Among league delegates today it I was stated that the league would exI perience no difficulty in appointing I successors to umpires who have withI drawn.I I They -expect that there will be -, I ' large number of applications in by I closing time at noon next Wednesday. I It was also pointed out that umpires I are not appointed for any .fixed term. I They are subject to dismissal at any I time. ? . While admitting that the league had I not 1 indicated preparedness to accede I - to the general demands of the umpires I in \lhe earlier negotiations they felt. I 1hat a solution might have been reachI ed if the umpires had stayed their I hand a week longer. I (What the umpires say. — I °age 4.)

Umpired Today

'Billy' Thomas

Johnny Grigg