EMPIRE GAMES DISPUTE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26032, 8 February 1950, Page 4

EMPIRE GAMES DISPUTE

PHOTOGRAPHERS LEAVE GROUND

SOME PREVENTED FROM TAKING PICTURES From Our Own Reporter AUCKLAND, February 7. Further trouble between the Empire Games authorities and newspapermen developed at Eden Park to-day during the running of athletic events, and the dispute which arose culminated in all the press photographers walking off the ground and taking no further pictures of the events as a protest. It is understood that Mr H. L. Towers, manager of the track section of the Empire Games, prevented photographers from taking pictures of the three miles championship, claiming that too many were present. All the photographers, including representatives of many overseas newspapers, left the inner arena as a protest. A long meeting followed with the secretary of the organising committee (Mr C. L. Cleal), who said that a preliminary conference had reached agreement that six photographers would be allowed at the start and six at the finish of each race. The photographers claim that there has been no infringement and that they were not allowed to leave their pen after the race had started. There has been considerable comment among the photographers about the privileges given the National Film Unit, which has a large number of assistants and a quantity of equipment, which interferes more with the view of spectators than the experienced press photographers. They say that it is not possible to give an adequate overseas photographic service with six photographers, who are expected to arrange rationing of the work between themselves. A statement was issued by the press photographers covering the Empire Games that it was their wish, to discuss the “present impossible position” with Mr Towers at the press room to-morrow morning. They have requested that as many managers as possible or any manager raising definite objections to their conduct should attend the meeting. They say that the decision of the photographers to leave the field was in no way attributable to any one man, but was unanimously a protest against the suppression of the recognised photographers in securing pictures for Empire newspapers. The action of the photographers is the. culmination of a series of events which has led to much resentment among all journalists covering the Empire Games.