CLASH OF CONTROL

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 30 October 1925, Page 9

CLASH OF CONTROL

IN AMATEUR CYCLING. THE POSITION DISCUSSED. The question of control of amateur cycling came up at last night's meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Mr C. S. McCully presided. . The secretary, Mr G. (i. Lockwood, reported that since the last meeting tlio Mairehau Cycling Club had been formed in Christchurch. It was promoted by prominent officials of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, and Mr W. J. Walter was chairman at the meeting when the Club was formed. A newspaper report of the meeting showed that an extensive list of officers liad been elected, and it had been decided to affiliate with the North Canterbury Centre of the . New Zealand Athletic nnd Cycling Union. The Canterbury Centre., could take no action. Mr Taylor, a member of the Centre, had written to one of the local papers asking Mr Walter Whether or not they had informed the members that the men competing in the new club would not be amateurs under the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association's definition. The amateur cycling question came up in 1923, said the secretary, and the Centre sent a resolution to Wellington, stating that the New Zealand A.A.A. should control amateur cycling. The decision was finally made in 1924. Amateur cycling had gone ahead, and now a move was being made to form an alleged amateur club under professional control. The men competing in that. club would forfeit their amateur status. "At Loggerlxeads.'' The chairman explained that at English Park Mr W. J. Walter had said to him that in future there would be no more amateur events allowed on professional programmes. Mr J. K. Moloney said that he was present when the conversation took place at English Park between Messrs McCully and Walter, and he endorsed the chairman's report. Mr C. S. Thomas, honorary solicitor to the Centre, said that it was shocking that two sports bodies should be at loggerheads in that manner. Amateur cycling was nowvery strong, and'the professional })ody had become frightened. That body could start another section, and call it amateur, but it was not amateur. The Olympic test was the real test. Men competing with the newclub would not. be able to compete in the provincial, New Zealand, or international championships. It would be disastrous to have young competitors not understanding the real position, and getting themselves debarred from other sports. There were some xeal sports on the new body, and he was sure that if they knew how they were misleading young competitors they would be the last to do so. The secretary reported that all amateur riders in the Christchurch Amateur Cycling Club had been circularised, informing them that they would lose their amateur statu* if they competed with the new body. No action, was taken.