EMPIRE GAMES TEAMS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 15

EMPIRE GAMES TEAMS

N.Z. CYCLISTS CAUSE SURPRISE REFUSAL TO SIGN AMATEUR BOND (Received December 4, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 4. The New Zealand Empire Games cyclists created a surprise to-day by flatly refusing to sign an agreement involving a bond of £SO, debarring them from turning professional within two years. Frank Grose, however, is reported to have signed the agreement on the voyage to Australia. The remaining six cyclists are adamant. They declare it would have been a different matter had they been informed of the obligation before they left New* Ssaland, which might have prevented them from undertaking the trip. A spokesman for the team said: “We have no thought of turning professional, but we do not think we should be bound down. Also, we resent the fact that the demand comes not from the New Zealand Empire Games Committee, but from the New Zealand Cyclists’ Association. We do not say we will not ride on Tuesday night. We are all in tip-top form, but even if it means that we will be packed oft home, we are determined not to sign the agreement.” N.Z. SWIMMERS TO TOUR INVITATION TO QUEENSLAND ACCEPTED (Received February 4, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 4. The Queensland Amateur Swimming Association has invited P. Hannan, N. Crump, and Miss Mona Leydon, the New Zealand swimmers, to make a tour of Queensland after the New Zealand team’s visit to Dubbo on February 14. Miss Leydon and Hannan have accepted and Crump will accept if he is able to obtain the necessary leave from New Zealand.

Miss Leyden will return to New Zealand on February 22. She and Miss Gwen Rix and Miss Joyce McDonald have accepted the invitation of the New Zealand Swimming Association to make an educational tour of the Dominion upon their return. HOLDING OF OLYMPIC GAMES (Received February 4, 11 p.m.) HELSINGFORS, February 4. Finland’s delegate to the Olympic Grand Committee (Mr Eric von Frenchell) suggested the amendment of Rule F, to be applicable in 1944, to provide that a country engaged in hostilities should not be entitled to arrange or participate in an Olympiad,