SPORTS FEDERATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 13411, 1 May 1909, Page 2

SPORTS FEDERATION.

DISCUSSION BY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

SECESSION SUGGESTED.

y At the annual meeting of tho New Zealand Hockey Association on Thursday evening tho question of seceding , from the New Zealand Sports Federation was raised by the Southland delegate. He said that he had received a ' motion, from his Association to the effect that the New Zealand Hockey Association should secede from the New Zealand Spores Federation. Ho re- ; ceived the motion at the last moment, and had not had much time to go into the matter. The Southland Caledonian Society had been disqualified by the Federation for not complying with the rules, and tho membership included from the Premier downwards. All the members were now debarred from taking part in any other sport, unless thcji left the Caledonian Society. He understood that tho members/of the Society had had trouble with the Cricket Council over the matter- Tho members of the Society who were hockey players were also debarred from taking part in hockey competitions. He pointed out that rowing men connected with the Society were placed in a similar position. However, rowing and boxing men who were members of the Society were allowed to take part in the sports, and if tho Federation had strictly adhered to their demands a regatta in Southland would not havo been held. Mr Nordon, as the Association's representative on the Sports Federation, said it devolved on him to defend that body. The statement made by the previous speaker with regard to rowers was quite news.to him. It was the duty of this Association to stand as firm as tho Cricket Council, for the Federation was formed in tho interest of discipline and clean sport. Southland absolutely defied the Federation in a very small matter. They could easily have complied with the request of the Federation, but they declined to do so, and wore disqualified. Ho suggested thai the matter should bo rcleired to the Executive. This course was adopted. At a meeting of the Executive held subseoufrtly,- the Chairman (Mr E. Nordon). said that before they did anything further in the matter, they should set up a committee to make enquiries about the rowing men. If the statement mado were correct, he was prepared to support the withdrawal of this Association from the Federation. Mr Smith said that he thought the Federation should secede now. It was no good to the Association. He moved: "That this Association secede from the Federation." Tho Chairman: There is a motion on tho books when wo affiliated, and we cannot seccdo except by notice of motion. Mr Smith then gave notice that he would propose the motion at next meeting.