ASSOCIATION CODE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20817, 29 March 1933, Page 12

ASSOCIATION CODE.

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. The fact that the Canterbury Football Association was in an unfortunate financial position, and had recently discussed a proposal to go into voluntary liquidation, was revealed at a special meeting of the management committee last evening. The question was discussed whether the association should go into liquidation, and accept a proposal of the New Zealand Council that association football in Canterbury be controlled by a sub-committee of the council, or endeavour to make satisfactory arrangements with creditors. There were present at the meeting: Messrs L. F. Foote (chairman), T. Rutter, G. Towart, W. Morley, P. L. Davies, J. Robb, H. Weatherhead, B. Priddis, J. E. Jones, H. Smyth, C. E. Keys, H. Wilkins, and J. E. Foote (secretary). Messrs H. G. Shouler and F. Wade were also present. Before the meeting commenced the chairman said that it might be advisable to exclude the press. He asked the meeting for an opinion on the matter. A motion by Mr M. Priddis, that the press be excluded, was put to the meeting, and was lost on a show of hands. After the minutes of a previous meeting, which had been held in camera, were read, Mr Robb declared that some remarks of his at the meeting had not been included in the minutes. At the meeting the committee had resolved that the association go into voluntary liquidation. He had expressly stated his opinion that the committee was unable to carry such a motion legally. •A motion that Mr Robb's previous remarks be included in the minutes of the private meeting was carried. Question of Law. Reporting an interview he had had with a firm of solicitors, formerly the association's solicitors, Messrs Weston, Ward, and Lascelles, Mr Priddis said he had been informed that the committee's action in resolving that the association go into voluntary liquidation was unconstitutional. The association was an incorporated society; therefore it could only be wound up on a general vote, put at a proper general meeting. A member, who had not been present at the previous meeting, then asked the chairman to explain exactly what was the association's position. The chairman replied that the New Zealand Council had decided, in view of the association's financial position, that it would be advisable lor a sub-committee of the council to be appointed in Christchurch to control the game here. That was, of course, if the association went into liquidation. "I think," said Mr Foote, "that the committee should seriously consider the position before a decision to call a general meeting is called. Nobody wants the association to go into liquidation; both for the sake of the game and for the sake of our reputation as sports, we do not want to take the extreme step. We must go into the matter carefully to-night. The treasurer's report will give you an idea of the position." General Meeting to be Called. The report mentioned by the chairman, read by the treasurer (Mr Priddis), was greeted by the expressed opinion of itiembers that the position was not so bad as had been thought. Mr Davies then moved that a special meeting of creditors be called for Monday night, April 3, to discuss the position. The motion was carried. It was further decided, on the motion of Mr Jones, that a special general meeting of the association be called for either Wednesday or Thursday, April 5 or 6, provisionally in the Rangers' Hall, to discuss the alternatives, whether the association proceed as an incorporated body to continue the management of association foot-; ball in Christchurch, having reached a satisfactory settlement with creditors, or go into voluntary liquidation, leaving the management of football to a board of control appointed by the New Zealand Council. It was left in the hands of Messrs Foote and Priddis to change the date of the general meeting, if necessary, after consultation with the solicitors. It was later decided to request members of last year's management committee to attend the meeting of creditors. Games Arranged. To assist the selector for the South Island team (Mr Shouler) the following friendly games were arranged for next Saturday afternoon:— Thistle v. Linwood, at Linwood Park, 2.45 p.m. Nomads v. Western, at Richmond Park, 3 p.m. Rangers v. Technical B, at Malvern Park, 3.15 p.m. Technical A v. St. Albans, at Hagley Park, 3 p.m. Mr Shouler said that he would like the nominations for the Australian tour in as soon as possible. He added that the team to travel to Dunedin would be announced next Monday morning. BRITISH FOOTBALL. ~ LONDON, March 27. . At Association football, first divitV 3 ": t JJ , L e a &ue, Sheffield United beat Middlesbrough 2-0. Second Division—West Ham v. Lincoin, 0-0. , r At u Northern Union Halifax beat 2 «" o i J^ lgan ,^. e ? t Oldham 13-5; Hugdersfield beat Widnes 8-5.