Opponent Of Christchurch

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31128, 3 August 1966, Page 1

Opponent Of Christchurch

'From BRUCE HEWITT. NZP.A. Games Correspondent) KINGSTON (Jamaica), Aug. 1.

New Zealand’s bid to gain the 1970 Commonwealth Games for Christchurch is being actively and almost angrily opposed by the Australian team manager, Mr W. J. Young.

“New Zealand should have shown better judgment,” he said. “They were very, very foolish to oppose Edinburgh. Scotland is one of the original members of the Games Federation which has never had the games. “We think that Edinburgh, after three unsuccessful attempts, is entitled to the games this time on principle, and that is why we are supporting them and opposing New Zealand.” Mr Young said that even at this late stage—the issue will be decided next Sunday —it had been suggested that Christchurch should withdraw but the suggestion had been turned down.

“We are one family in the Commonwealth of nations,” he said. “We have unity and we want to keep it that way. I feel that if the position was put to the New Zealand public as a threat to the unity of the Commonwealth they would say that Christchurch should withdraw and give Edinburgh the games unopposed.” Mr Young said that if it was not the case that Scotland had never run the games, Australia would give full support to New Zealand. “In practical terms it would mean that we could send about 300 competitors to New Zealand instead of about 120 to Scotland, but on principle we must oppose Christ church.”

“New Zealand has had the games once and Scotland never, although the Scots

have always given great support to the Games Federation. “We cannot see any reason why New Zealand should oppose a nation such as this.” Mr Young, one of Australia’s best-known and most forthright sports administrators, managed the Australian Steam in Cardiff in 1958, was cycling team manager in Vancouver and at the Tokyo Olympics, and returned to be general manager of this Australian team in Jamaica.

As Australia’s delegate to the Commonwealth Games Federation he will give notice to the meeting on Sunday that Australia intends to apply for the 1974 games for Melbourne.

He said today there would be no question of Australia dropping out of the 1974 contest in favour of Christchurch, if Edinburgh won the ballot on the 1970 games.

“If Christchurch is nominated again we will oppose it and we will win,” he said.