BOXING CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 200, 24 August 1928, Page 9

BOXING CONFERENCE.

INSURANCE SCHEME FOR AMATEURS. i'UHD INAUGURATED. OPPOSITION TO DUAL CONTROL OF THE SPORT. The launching of a scheme for the insurance of amateur contestants was the principal business accomplished yesterday at the annual conference of delegates to the New Zealand Boxing Association. Mr. E. A. Craig presided over a large and fully representative attendance. The scheme was brought forward by Mr. W. G. Talbot, of Wellington, who said a great deal of time had been spent in preliminary investigation, and thev were assured that the plan was sound and workable. It provided that each association should pay two per cent of the gross proceeds of every tournament into a fund administered by three trustees. When a fund of £2000 had been accumulated the income should be sufficient to meet all ordinary claims, and it would then be possible to help the weaker associations. Two per cent on tournament receipts had shown an average of £221 6/ each year for the last three years. The scheme would mean that the association would carrv out its own insurance just as the Rugby L nion and the Racing Conference were doing. The scheme was adopted bv a unanimous vote, an amendment framed to mclude professionals being defeated The chairman pointed out that profes sionals were already covered bv their own scheme, and it would hardlv be fair to compel them to contribute" still turther.

Messrs. J. R. Simpson. W. G. Talbot, and J. W. Heenan were appointed arnstees. The fund was inaugurated bv donations of £100 from the Wellington Association and £50 each from AuckI land and Dunedin. Wellington's World Champion. Moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president referred to the success at the Olympic "Games of Eddie Morgan, of Wellington, who was now amateur welter-weight champion of the world. On the motion of Mr. Craig a message of congratulation was sent to the Wellington Association. Speaking of the growth of the sport in \e« Zetland Hwrfnp recent year*, the presi- ; fkn* Md

fessional contests and 562 amateur bouts. The following year the figures were 56 and 654; in 1927 they were 47 and 671, and during the year under review, 30 and 1099. which showed a very healthy state of affairs in amateur circles. It been a year of steady progress, and with the finances in a satisfactory condition there was every reason to look to the future with confidence. The report and accounts were adopted. Mr. Dervan (Northern Association) moved that associations should have the right to pay up to £200 purses without the permission of the council. Mr. Talbot (Wellington) suggested that the motion should be amended to include the words "plus expenses up to £50." To this Mr. Dervan agreed, and the motion was seconded Opposition came from the Greymouth, Napier, Westport and Tamnaki delegates. The president explained that the object of the motion was to limit the amount of the purse and expenses to £250. At present there was no limit to the amount of expenses paid to an overseas boxer. The resolution was defeated bv a laree majority. " It was unanimously resolved that the president of the New Zealand Boxing Association should be an ex-officio memof the Boxing CouncilIt was decided to bold the 1929 championships at Greymouth. It was announced that Messrs. E. A. , (X.8.A.) and C. P. Agar iChristchurch ) had been elected vice-presidents [ or the ensuing year. The president will , *> e Beban (chairman of the GreyI mouth Association). Assumed Names Prohibited. Mr. Kilmartin (Otar-n moved that assumed name-: for competitors he rot permitted in atna:.-*ir contents. He -aid boxinp \va? a clean .-port, and there was 1 no necessit v f.ir a \ outh to hide Lis • identity. The motion was carried. On the motion of the chairman a re- ' solution was pas-ed deprecating the I movement to set up any separate a--o-ciation for the control of amateur boxing. The meeting affirmed the principle . of the existing law that itoxinir. both [ amateur and professional -hould !>" controlled by citizen- ior tha love of the sport and not for ]>e<-uniarv gain. The motion expressed the opinion that the existing unified control was in the best interests of both of the sport and also the public. If Parliament granted a petition by the Amateur Boxing l n;on. chaos would en<ue. and the result would be the encouragement of ca-h amateuri.-ni *nd the introduction of the private -.ro-,:oter. The resolution finally nr<;t-<1 the New Zealand Boxing Council to combat the attempt to alter the present system of unified >tmL