BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 208, 31 August 1918, Page 14

BOXING.

ONLY MARKING TIME. The query in these columns last week as to what, hae happened to the Northern Boxing Association brought the following from Mr. Mows Ballin, the hon. secretary:—

Sir, —A paragraph appearing under your boxing notes in laet Saturday's issue, contrasting the work of the American boxer (as regards war fund objects) against that of the locil association, is contrary to fact. If you take the poeition in America after that country has been about fifteen months in the war, you will find that all the noted boxers "(Not all. by any means.—

"Actaeon.") have been retained in the training camps as instructors, and are thus able to help the Red Cross and other funde. The poeition in New Zealand after fifteen months of war was regarding boxera that with the exception of perhaps one or two. every noted boxer, amateur ajid professional, was in I camp or drafted on to Europe. My association in the first place endeavoured to run patriotic carnivale with the material available, but owing to the lack of a drawing card, sufficient cash was not taken to meet expenses. (That was coon after the start of the war.—"Actaeon.") Rather than any worthy object should suffer, my association, after making up expenses, forwarded donations amounting from £20 to £50 to the various societies. Apart from thie my association have forwarded to the different reinforcement dra-fte boxing cloves to the value of £120. You must know that hating is one 6port that requires a drawing card before the public will attend. At present there is no drawing eaj-il in New Zealand. In the face of past experience it would only be looking for trouble to run boxing- carnivals even for patriotic purposes. My aeeociation has,-.during the past two yeare, found it better to give a helping hand to other bodies which are running combined shows for the various war funds. This policy will be continued unless a boxing star arises that -will make an all-boxing tourney profitable for patriotic purposes. [It is pleasing to note that the Northern Association has done something, •but surely they are not satisfied with the little they have done. Other bodies go on doing, and why not, let the Association adopt the referee's ruling "Box On." In the South quite recently a big contest was decided, and at Feathcrsto" , Camp there is a variety of talent, Peter Cook defeating an Australian boxer, whose name I forget, there last week. One cannot think the Association is content to let others arrange carnivals and then help in an unofficial manner. Why not take a turn at arranging themselves and get others to help? Perhaps Mr. Ballin will enlighten us how hie Association expects a new star to arise if all the other Associations adopt the same attitude as the Northern body. Surely his Association is not willing to let others give the encouragement and then reap the benefit of their labours. .Itiet privately Moss! It is not neceeeary to confine your tournament to boxing, but get a move on and hustle things alonz. —"Actaeon."]