‘Man-Sized Job’ Faces Christchurch

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 1

‘Man-Sized Job’ Faces Christchurch

Christchurch had a “man-sized job” in holding the 1974 Commonwealth Games and he did not think the area should diversify its effort as “one councillor has already suggested—the very day we got the Games,” said Cr H. G. Hay at the City Council meeting last evening.

The council had to get the support of all local bodies in the area and “I believe and hope financial support from the Government to an even greater extent than is now involved,” said Cr Hay.

He said he thought that the council had still a *‘bit of public relations work to do on the citizens to get them thoroughly behind the Games.”

The Games effort should not be confused with any other issue. It was a major job and effort could not be wasted.

; Cr N. G. Pickering said he r stood by what he had said ii publicly, that there should be | an Expo 1974 held in Christ- ’ church at the same time as f the Games. This would put | the world focus on both the | sporting and economic life | of New Zealand. * “That would make it a truly national affair and the Government would give true support. Britain may well be in the E.E.C. by then. We are fighting for markets and we , will need all the publicity that an expo would give,” Cr Pickering said. Cr P. J. Skellerup said that the assistance of the Government would be required. He thought Christchurch could do a good job. The Deputy Mayor (Mr H. P. Smith) said he had sent a message of congratulations to the Games promotion team in Edinburgh and the Mayor (Mr A. R. Guthrey). Venue Vote Christchurch crushingly beat Melbourne for the 1974 Games by 36 votes to two, according to an Edinburgh message. , England was reported to be

Melbourne’s lone supporter. England opposed the Janu-ary-February dates for the Christchurch Games because they fell during the winter offseason for its track athletes, swimmers and cyclists. Melbourne wanted to bold the Games in November, not long after the British outdoor sports season ends. During the federation meeting, both Australian and New Zealand delegates were asked if they would take steps to see their countries had no sporting exchanges with South Africa. Both replied to inquiring African delegates that they were not prepared tn make decisions they could' not keep. A New Zealand city last held the Games in 1950, when Auckland was the host They were held in Australia In 1938 (Sydney) and 1962 (Perth). Christchurch climaxed its campaign with a $20,000 Commonwealth-wide drive for support Six men visited 30 Commonwealth countries on their way to Edinburgh to state their case. The sextet held a lavish luncheon for delegates with an all-New Zealand menu, a reception for other Games officials, and newsmen, with musicians and Maori dancers flown for , the occasion, and

“open house” in their hotel suite. Melbourne countered here with a champagne reception at the city's Australian centre.

Members of the Christchurch Games promotion committee had to Wait until 7.30 p.m. (6.30 a.m. New Zealand) to find out they had won a campaign which began in 1963.

It is clear that New Zealand received mass support from African and Asian countries.

Mr Abraham Ordia, president of the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa, said later that he was looking forward to going to Christchurch for the Games. “There is no question of an African boycott” University Letter

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (Professor N. C. Phillips) has written to groups within the university asking their co-operation in making available facilities for the 1974 Commonwealth Games. At present the Common-

wealth Games Promotion Committee has asked the university to assist with accommodation, but there might also be a request for grounds. “We have been asked if the halls of residence could be made available for the games and also the Student Union building at Ham. Of course the university does not control all the halls of residence and will not control all those which will be at Ham in 1974: and the Student Union building is' a matter for the students' association," Professor Phillips said last eveni If the bodies concerned agreed to provide the use of the facilities, it would not affect the university term. "My understanding is that the actual period of the Games would be from January 24 to

February 2, although accommodation would be required for some three weeks before January 24 and for some five or six days after February 2. This would be in the university vacation,” said Professor Phillips. The next meeting of the University Council will probably discuss the application from the Games promotion committee in respection of the halls of residence that the university does control. No Approach Any decision to use University of Canterbury student facilities for the Commonwealth Games in 1974 bad been made without any formal approach to the authorities involved, the president of the Canterbury University Students’ Association (Mr D. B C. Cuthbert) said yesterday.

He criticised the “highhanded” attitude adopted by the Games promoters in depicting the probable use of facilities at Ilam.| “They did not even have the decency to consult us when they made their promotional film at Ilam showing student facilities. It is this same type of person who readily turns around and criticises the students for not being rational thinkers when it comes to dealing with the public,” Mr Cuthbert said. The bursar of Christchurch College (Mr D. W. Bain) when asked if the college's board of governors had been approached by the Commonwealth Games Promotion Committee said that no request had yet been placed for use of the college as residential accommodation during the 1974 Games.

“1 understand they are being approached for use of the college. The request has not yet been placed before any committee of the college board itself," Mr Bain said. (Other Comment: Back Page)