Yachting AUCKLAND’S THREAT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29435, 10 February 1961, Page 6

Yachting AUCKLAND’S THREAT

Withdrawal From Association

**The Pre«F* Special Service February 9. The Auckland Provincial Yachting Association, which threatened to withdraw from the New Zealand Yachting Federation this year if the federation is not reconstituted, has drawn up a proposed new fenderation constitution.

The most significant change suggested is a much wider representation for New Zealand yachting clubs on the federation. The Auckland constitution will be discussed at the next federation meeting. At present the only voting members on the federation are the four major associations. Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago, each with 25 votes.

Auckland will suggest a new voting system which envisages the formation of several more yachting associations throughout New Zealand.

Apart from the four major associations the new constitution allows for clubs in minor centres to amalgamate to* form new associations with direct representation to and voting power on the federation. The voting power, Auckland suggests, should be In proportion to the number of clubs in each association and the following voting system is contained in the new constitution:— Association of three clubs, one vote; four to five clubs, three votes; six to 10 clubs, six votes; 11 to 15 clubs, nine votes; 16 to 20 clubs, 12 votes; over 20 clubs. 15 votes. Separate Funds The only other major change from the existing constitution is the suggestion that a separate fund be established for overseas and international competition. The question of voting strengths and proportional representation to the federation has been a vexing one for several years and was largely responsible for Auckland’s threat to secede from the federation.

The Auckland plan has obvious merits for the addition of new voting members to the federation could bring centres such as Northland. Bay of Plenty, Hamilton. Manawatu-Wanganui, Napier-Gisborne, South Canterbury and Southland into closer touch with the administration of yachting. One wonders. however, whether the suggested allocation of votes is reasonable for the disparity between the one votes of the smallest association and the 15 of the largest seems rather large. There may also be a case for the establishment of a small and permanent executive in Wellington to handle routine matters, with the full membership meeting once or twice a year to decide policy. The new constitution will doubtless be opposed by those who feel that such a voting system would give a preponderance of votes to associations in the northern part of the North Island.

However, the Auckland plan can only be taken at present as a basis for discussion on the federation's future. Auckland's threat to withdraw from the federation is a grave matter for without Auckland the federation would cease to exist and yachting would not be able to qualify for Olympic Games teams. To its credit Auckland has produced a reasonable and levelheaded proposal to re-constitute the federation. By this step Auckland has signified that it considers the federation important to yachting in this country.