SURF SPORTS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20626, 16 August 1932, Page 4

SURF SPORTS.

DOMINION CONTROL PROPOSED.

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION

CRITICAL

Tentative proposals for tlie formation of a New Zealand Surfing Association, to be affiliated to the New Zealand Council of the Royal Life-Saving Society, were placed before members of the Canterbury Surfing Association at a meeting last evening, and were criticised, not only on the grounds of the principle of connexion with the society, but because, when the Wellington clubs had formulated the constitution, the Canterbury Association had not been consulted, although it had ■ originally moved in the matter. Members of the association claimed that the constitution as proposed threatened the very cxißtcnce of the Canterbury Association, which for years had satisfactorily controlled the work of several clubs. Reference was made to the disagreement which bad existed between the association and the Royal Life-Saving Society over the control of actual surfing competition work, but Mr B. O'Neill, a member of the council of the society, who expanded on the proposals to the meeting, stated that as soon as the new body was in existence the society would hand over, for its absolute control, all surfing work in the Dominion. What action the Canterbury Association would take in the matter was discussed by the meeting in conimittee,.

At the beginning of the meeting the chairman (Mr W. 11. Benson) Btatcd that he had heard, indirectly, that steps had been taken in Wellington to further the suggestions made by the Canterbury Association for the formation of a Dominion Surf Association, 'lie had had no official intimation of any action, but had seen Mr B. O'Neill, a member of the Council of the Now Zealand Royal Life-Saving Society, and hud seen al.so the tentative proposals and (.-(institution for a New Zealand Surfing Association. Mr O'Neill had agreed to address the association on the proposals at the meeting, A letter describing the circumstances leading up to the formation of a controlling association, and asking for the Canterbury Association's support, was road. The tentative constitution (a summary of which lias been published) was read to the meeting. It defined the proposed body as a New Zealand body for the control of surf work. The headquarters will be in Wellington, but will bo transferable on the motion of the district surfing associations.

A Fundamental Difference. There was a fundamental difference between tlic associations in Christchurch and those- in Wellington, s:iid Mr O'Neill. There had always boon a tendency in Canterbury for the c|ub> to work separately from tlio Royal Life Saving Society. In Wellington the two bodies worked iu close cooperation. Mr O'Neill stated that ho realised that there had been a tendency to irritation between the society and the association, which at times had developed into open disagreement. "J understand that originally proposals were put befofe Welliugton by t-Ue Canterbury Association," said Mr "There was aa effort fop a

decisive issue on the question. "Wellington did not stop dead 011 the matter, and eventually proposed and framed a constitution considered suitable for Wellington. This action by Wellington is more easily understood when the fundamental difference in the v.tuation in Wellington .and Christclmrch is realised. Wellington has no desire to work apart from the Royal Life Saving Association."

Part of Society. Wellington luid always been anxious to have the Royal Life Saving Society behind them in surf work, continued Mr O'Neill. They had put a tentative constitution of a "Dominion body before the council of the society. This had Iwen approved; the rules being redrnfted on a broader basis. One rule clearly defined that the new body would be a constituent part of the Iloyal Life Saving Society. As soon as the new body was definitely in existence the society would hand over the control of all surfing work in the Dominion, There would then be nq chance cf the society hampering the work of the new body. Wellington considered that th#> North Island, clubs would come in with them T and had received an assurance that the Dunedin Association would favourably consider the proposals, concluded Mr O'Neill. I Canterbury Not Invited. "We are wondering why we were not invited to have some say in the discussion for the tentative constitution," paid Mr Benson. Mr O'Neill could not enlighten him on the point. Mr Benson then gave details of the progress of the sport made under tha association's rule, which, he feared, would be restricted by a body constituted along .the proposed lines. As a body, the association (which was the only one in New Zealand) waa ndt antagonistic to the society,-which had subjected the association to all sorts of pin-pricks. The association had to be .shown and convinced that its work for surfing was ;on the ' wrong lines. So far as the tentative constitution was concerned, it did not cet them very far ahead. The association would not have made the original suggestions had they not been in favour of a New Zealand body tor the control of- surfing, Mr Benson said in answer to Mr O'Neill, who pointed out that Wellington had never proposed to interfere with the Canterbury Association or sink its identity, as Mr Benson had soenied to indicate. In the discussion which followed Mr •A. I. Cottrell the Australian surfing control, when arguing that tliere was no necessity for the supervision of the Life Saving Societv in surf work. In Australia, which he thought supreme in eurf life-saving, there wns no nffiliatipn of the surfing bodies with the Rova! Life Savin" Society. " Before Mr O'Neill retired from the meeting he again .pointed out that AVellington did not suggest that the Canterbury Association should alter its ideas or vary its work to suit them. lhe question was then discussed in i committee. * !