GAMES BID “No Bitterness With Scotland”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31131, 6 August 1966, Page 1

GAMES BID “No Bitterness With Scotland”

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) KINGSTON (Jamaica), August 4. No matter which way the ballot went on Sunday for the 1970 Commonwealth Games there would be no bitter feelings between New Zealand and Scotland, Mr K. S. Scott, a spokesman for the Christchurch delegation which is seeking the Games, said in Kingston today.

The other applicant for the 1970 games is Edinburgh. “We have had many discussions with the Edinburgh delegation,” said Mr Scott. “We have agreed that whatever happens there will be no bitter feelings and that the unsuccessful city will throw its support behind the other.”

No Changing

Mr Scott also said that the New Zealand and Scottish delegations had agreed that unless something “extraordin-

ary” arosfe, there would be no changing of sports nominated by Christchurch and Edinburgh. There have been suggestions that both cities would make changes in the sports they had nominated to woo votes from certain countries. Mr Scott said that the fourman Christchurch delegation had now met With 24 countries in what he termed “serious” discussion. All of the countries had been very receptive, according to Mr Scott. The biggest factor working against Christchurch, said Mr Scott, was that Scotland was a founder member of the games, but had never held I them.

“This is winning Edinburgh a lot of sympathy votes,” he said.

Mr Scott said that he had received indications in private discussions that there could be up to five countries competing to hold the 1974 games.

Christchurch has said it would apply for the 1974 games if it was beaten by Edinburgh this year and Australia has said it would nominate Melbourne. “There are now two African countries interested in the games in 1974,” said Mr Scott, “while Canada could also make a bid.”