N.Z. Athletics Criticised

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30026, 10 January 1963, Page 10

N.Z. Athletics Criticised

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

MELBOURNE, Jan. 9. New Zealand athletes—P. G. Snell, M. G. Halberg and J. L. Davies—would be invited to compete in Melbourne edrtber on February 23 and 25 or on March 9 and 11. the “ Melbourne Herald” sports writer, Steve Hayward, said today. Hayward said the old game known in Australian athletes as “trap a Kiwi’* was on again. “If Australia wins, we will see one or more erf New Zealand’s star athletes in tods country this summer,” be wrote.

Hayward said that a big team of New Zealanders in 1959 met a Victorian team at Olympic Park. “Every year since them Australian athletes have gone to New Zealand to compete. Tbe list includes such stars as D. Power. A. Thomas, P. Vaaeella, A. Blue, K. Roche, T. Vincent and R. Filshie.” “But since 1959 not one New Zealand man athlete has .competed in Australia other than in toe recent Empire Games,” Haywards said.

“Snell offered to race here last season, but it was too late. He had been running in America when Victoria wanted hfltr early that Mason. “Official eyebrows were raised here when New Zealand recently invited Empire

Games gold medallists, Roche and Vincent, both Victorians, and Blue to run in New Zealand late this month and early in February. “When will the one-way traffic to New Zealand end?” officials asked.

Hayward said that because there was a “point of principle” involved. New Zealand’s reaction to the invitation wa being closely watched.

The “Herald” also said today that a team of New Zealand women athletes would be invited to compete in Melbourne in February. “The Victorian Women’s Amateur Athletic Association will ask toe New Zealand team to come here before or after the annual Tasman Cup match between New South Wales and New Zealand in Sydney in February, toe “Herald” said. “The New Zealand team is likely to include Mr* V. IYoung, Mrs A. Mclntosh and Miss D. R. Porter. If Mias M. Chamberlain is in toe New Zealand team, toe world 880 yards record-holder, Mia* D. Willis, probably will be invited to race her at toe Melbourne meeting.”

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