BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 107, 6 May 1913, Page 8

BOXING.

I PROMINENCE OF PROFESSIONALISM DRASTIC CUAXGE DEMANDED. <By Telegraph.— Own Corrcupondim.) CHKISTCHCUCH, this day. At the annual meeting nt tue New /,ealoud i>oxiuj; Council, Air C l. asououu, in tv« iiuuptiuu oi tue r<s|K.ri ana OiilaiiLT-sUcet, saiu tuut, while ou tile waule tile report was a suojeei for congratulation, suti There were features in connection Willi luc control of tin- sport tliat Deeded tile earnest consideration of tuose Interested In Ha weltare. (Jnu o{ the outstanding weaknesses was the undue prouijucuee given to the protessioual stdv. .Mr UcVllly had sounded a note ot wurulug Iv tills direction, und that gentleman's long association with boxing since it was pluceu ou a properly-organised basis, clothed -nis words wjtb more rtuui ordinary autuority. Mr Ascnwau declared that tne origli.al of the Council had been widely ili-partucl from, for now iv some quarters the amuieuv was uot catered Tor to itic extent Intended, nud tlie constant cail on the professionals services had given too uiauy of tlie "pros" uu exaggerated idea of their own value. Their exorbitant demands would Iv tlie end work Hu-lr own ruin, but iv I'he meantime the him of ttie purse atid tlie amount claimed tor expenses made the proressiouals certain ivluneis, and the promoting associations alvuost certain losDrs. Time after time this litallatioo af the pirroe had been brought up at tne animal conference, but outside ul agreeiug with the resolutions uo tangible luiprovisincnt had resulted. The balance-sheets of most of the associations, lor lfilU-U. and the disbandlnfe of ODe Waipukurau Association, spoke eloqueutly in lavour of some drastic change that would make payment to professionals more proportionate to tikiU and drawing power. Matches were made last season that should have been vetoed by a controlling authority. This, he said, taroug-ht him to the outstanding weakness in the constitution or the Council. They occupied this anomalous position of a governing body that had neither legislative nor executive functions. The ntabing of the law had been practically handed over to the annual conference of associations, and the enforcement of any ruling depended on the associations agreeing to it. Tile position was not far removed from the tardea 1. and. while existing conditions continued, not only could then- be no improvement, but Vile Council must also face the possibility of even worse conditions arising. H« did uot wish to convey a wrong impression concerning the attitude taken up by the associations. The relations existing hruvcen the lY.uuril and most of tin- affiliated associations had been of the happiest—a loyal support, unliKsttatlnK acceptance of rnUnge, courtesy and promptness In correspondence, and generally a desire lo iisslst the sovcrnIng body In every way possible, but In a few cases—unfortunately very few—loyaltyto the Couucll was mere lip service that professed loyally only when things weut smoothly. Directly difference in the point <>f view presented itself, these professions of loyalty dissolved into the air. Mr Aschmnu repeated that cased of this type were rare, but the unpleasantness that resulted made members wonder whether It was worth while to give their time and their attention to the affairs of the Council when ihclr irpinions were thus flouted and their intention wilfully misunderstood. He went on :o say that'be hoped the association would not lose sight of tjie intention of the founders, but would make an effort t<> place amateur boxing In a more prominent position than It occupied at present. Not only was it desirable from that point of view, 1 but ev,-m from a financial standpoint it [would pay. for last year two of the largest associations camp- out with credit balances ion their amateur tourneys, w<hlle the I majority or their professional contests pro- | duced consternation In the treasurer's «leI partment.

NORTHERN BOXING ASSOCIATION.

GAL'LT AND HAGEJITY MATCHED. The management committee of the Northern Boxing Association met last evening. Mi - H. Keesing was elected chairman lor tie year, and Mr Thatiher vice-chaJrni-an. Messrs l-\ Dyer, .]. llusscll. I. B. Greeu•honjrti. and M. K.illiu were .appointed a match committee, and the chairman, secretary, ,-md treasurer a iiuancc committee. It was decided that, providing medical tests he sfltlsXactorily passed. Alt. •Uault, the Anolcland light-weight, be matched with .T. Hagerty, champion of New "Zealand, for June 3. Tailing Ganlt, anocner opponent will probably be found for the champion.

It was decided to try and arrange n twonight carnival at. the end of June, wien H.M-s. Nc\y Zealand will bo In port again. Men from the warship will he matched with local amateurs, -and an effort will be made to hold the provincial championships. In the event of the carnival uoi lieing held, the championships will be decided on July •i and 3.