CLEAN SPORT.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12897, 31 August 1907, Page 11

CLEA N SPORT.

- 7 4 A A. PROPOSALS CRITIX * ' CISBD

CRICKET COUNCIL INDIGNANT

The circular letter sent out by the secretary of the N.Z. A. A. A. was read at 'the-meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council last evening, and provideu some hostile comment. Summarised, the proposals wero uiat a continued effort should be made to have tho sports governing bodies protected by law, in order to prevent interference from outside botiies. uoierence was made to tho advent oi professionalism, and the private speculator, as menaces to the New Zealanu A.A.A. The text of tne letter appeared in "Tho Press : of last Tuesday. Tno N.Z.A.A.A. now advisea that the conference of sixirts bodies would ue held i" Wellington early in Soptember. in order that members of Parliament bo invited to attend, and opportunity taweu to interview the government.

.Mr Lawrence thought that if the proposals of the Association were given effect to the cricket clubs of tho colony would bo prm-ented from playing matches w.th Australian and Jin .isu teums, winch always included prolessionals. 'Die Australian eleven were undoubtedly a protessional team Tho Chairman (_lr CaygiU; said that be understood that eacn bouy wouki control its own branch ot sport however, he was peisonally thoiougliiy op_°v i ** _fc _° P ro P«sa_s ot the ->.__. A. A.A. It there was any sports governing body m the colony wmen was not capuoio or carrying out its altaira h Knout tne assistance of tho Government, or which wished to have statutory protection for tear that it mignt Do superseded, the sooner it was superscieu tno butter. He was opp<W to any endeavour to create a spoils moiio-

Air Lawrence said that the proposition made by the Association was a scandalous ono. It was an attempt to carry to a farcical extreme some ot the legislation already on the statute book, ooine ol the suggestions made wero fit only for a comic opera. 'Iho Association might be right in trying to stop professionalism, but they had no right to say that no person should play footo.'Ul in .New Zealand unless it was played under the guidance of the Rugby Lnion. rh is would be an infringement ot the liberty of the subject. He would oppose sending any delegates to the conference unless it was to opposo the ideas laid down in the letter. The delegates, if any, should bo given speciho instructions, and not left to act on their own initiative. The whole idea of a cricketer opposing professionalism wa* absurd. If it had not been tor professionals tho game would not have reached its present position. Other members indicated that they were entirely opposed to legislative interference with the governing bodies of sport.

'Mr Orchard said that the Council did not know dehnitely what the Association s proposals wero, and until the conference was held it was simply talkin g»i'the dark to discuss them. The Chairman again referred to the letter, and expressed the opinion that the Association wished to get legislation passed in order to prevent any other governing bodies, except those already recognised, boing formed. Mr Orchard said that thero would be no objection to professional football, if it could bo arranged that tho professionals and amateurs could play together. Something might be arranged on } n . sam ß lines as those on which professionals wero included m cricket teams.

Mr \oung said that the opinion of the Council should be recorded on the general question. He viewed with considerable alarm the suggestion that amateurisirf should have legislative assistance in maintaining its status. He moved:—"That the Council, while sympathising with some of the objects mentioned in Mr Green's letter, is entirely opposed to any legislation of a compulsory nature in support of amateur sport in the colony."

This resolution was passed unanimously. The Council sympathised with the suggestions that betting should be suppressed, and a high moral tone sustained in .ill classes of sport. A proposal was mado that two Wellington gentlemen should be appointed the Council's delegates to the Conference, but an opinion was strongly manifested in favour of sending local members of the Council, who knew the wishes of that body. Mr Treweek said that the Council's delegates co'ild not hope for much success in "a den of amateurs," who were bitterly opposed to anything in the nature of professionalism. He pointed out that cricketers stood in an entirely different position from other bodies, as professional were absolutely necessary in the game. Mr Thornton thought that it was a question whether tho introduction of professional football into New Zealand would not benefit the game, as it had done in England. He suggested that the New Zealand Football Association should have been invited to send delegates. Their views were entirely in accord with those of tho Cricket Council. Mr Orchard moved a further resolution affirming tho desirability of arrangements being made for the meeting of amateur and professional sportsmen to engage in friendly contests, and that the Council's delegates be instructed to support any proposition which had this end in view.

The motion was carried, and it was also decided to clraw the attention ot the N.Z.A.A.A. to the fact that the Football Association and Golf Association had not been invited to send delegates, and suggesting that they should bo included. Messrs Thornton and Vincent wer« appointed delegates, with instructions to act in accordance with the resolutions passed.