INVITATION TO ELLIOTT

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 11

INVITATION TO ELLIOTT

Union Refuses Permission

(N.Z. Press Association —C'opvrtaht) SYDNEY, January 13.

The Australian Amateur Athletic Union has refused the mile champion, H. Elliott, permission to run in America next week. In spite of approval of the trip by the Victorian Amateur Athletic Union, the secretary of the A.A.U. (Mr A. Hodsdon) announced toiday that the original refusal of the invitation would stand.

“The union has certain procedures which must be followed, and policy has to be observed,” Mr Hodsdon said.

“Today’s message from the Victorian association was the first indication we had officially that Elliott had any desire to accept the invitation.

“1 act as secretary in an honorary capacity, and in my spare time do not intend standing on my head trying to make last-minute arrangements to rush Elliott away.” Mr Hodsdon said the Victorian A.A.U. had been notified immediately the invitation from America for Elliott's visit had arrived.

That was seven weeks ago, and when no reply was received from Elliott, a letter had been written to the American A.A.U. secretary (Mr D. Ferris) informing him the invitation had been declined, Mr Hodsdon said.