U.S. ASSURANCE OF ATHLETICS TOUR

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 7

U.S. ASSURANCE OF ATHLETICS TOUR

“Biggest Names That We

Can Shake Loose”

“Th* Press* Special Service

NEW YORK, June 11.

The New Zealand athletic tour manager' (Mr A. O. Melville) after a bargaining session with the United States Amateur Athletic Union in New York, may well feel like Mr Neville Chamberlain holding that famed piece of paper.

Mr Melville’s piece of paper is an assurance from the A.A.U. that a team will be sent to New Zealand next February but its composition cannot be guaranteed.

This information was given by the director of the A.A.U. (Colonel Donald Hull) when interviewed in New York after Mr Melville’s visit. “I was definitely able to’ agree to a group of four going to New Zealand in February,” said Colonel Hull. “But we cannot promise names. We are happy for you to have the biggest names that we can shake loose.” In "shaking loose,” Colonel Hull meant exactly what be said. He and the secretary 'Mr D. Ferris) explained that February is the American indoor season and everybody wants the same athletes. “Arf athlete might be happy to agree to a proposed trip.” said Mr Ferris. ‘‘but

then the promoter of a certain meeting will do his best to get that athlete. Once he has the athlete’s signature on an entry form the athlete is. if not legally bound, at least obligated.” "Therefore.” said Colonel Hull, “we may be agreeable to a trip but we have to gain acceptance from the athlete, his coach, bis club or university. and also the national committee which has to approve all outgoing athletes. ■’The committee can be very difficult. Normally, difficulties are not great but last year we had trouble with the collegiate boycott and our non-collegiate athletes were very valuable. ‘‘New Zealand wanted Cary Weisiger and Ralph Boston to tour but by the time I managed to get them cleared it was too late.” Four Possibles

Nevertheless, Colonel Hull named She men whom the A.A.U. was agreeable to re- ; lease and he hoped circum- | stances would enable them to ! visit. These were the miler.

Weisiger. the Olympic long jump ehampion, Boston, the decathlon world r ecordholder, C. K.' Yang, and a sprinter. “Mr Melville was keen to obtain a sprinter to lift the standard in New Zealand and we can happily accede to this because we havfe a wealth of sprinters,” said Colonel Hull. "Runners such as J. Beatty would be too heavily in demand and would be available only up to the new year.” However, even the team as it stands on paper at present would be provided through courtesy of the A.A.U. because New Zealand, contrary to common belief, holds no bargaining power. The N.Z.A.A.A. has always argued and bargained on the basis that because it has favoured the United States by sending athletes there, that country should return the favours equally. The truth is, however, that New Zealand’s athletes have usually benefited only an independent organisation, such as the Los Angeles Colosseum relays committee The A.A.U. receives no gain from such meetings. The only occasion the governing body gains is at its national championships, and as Colonel Hull and Mr Ferris are quick to point out, P. G. Snell is not appearing at the A.A.U. championships. “We are unhappy about this.” said Colonel Hull. “The N.Z.A.A.A. had advised us that if had consulted- with Snell and that he would appear. Apparently he has since become homesick. He was really committed and we could make an issue of it but we don’t want to do that.”

New Zealand’s cry for reciprocity has been backed by the claim that New Zealanders have visited the United States seven times and received only three visits in return. If only the A.A.U. championships count for reciprocity, then New Zealand has contributed only once, when M. G. Halberg and J. L. Davies appeared last year. The boot, alas, seems to be on the other foot.