Sister-city links

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33037, 3 October 1972, Page 1

Sister-city links

An inter-city sports, or youth, festival for Adelaide and Christchurch held alternately in each city was a suggestion that greatly appealed to both the Lord Mayor of Adelaide (Mr W. H. Hayes) and the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering) yesterday.

The suggestion came from Mr G. S. Brockett’ (swimming) at a meeting of representatives of sporting, cultural, community service and commercial. bodies at the City Council chambers yesterday morning. The meeting was held at the request of Mr Hayes, who had held a meeting of similar bodies in Adelaide last Tuesday. Mr Hayes made no secret of the fact that he is anxious that ties between the two cities be made stronger, and that he is willing to lead opening moves. He said that exchanges of people between the two cities would be a reason for the reduction of air fares between the two places—first the fares across the Tasman, and then the directflight fares between the two cities.

Mr Brockett said that sports, or youth, festivals in place of visits by individual sporting teams would make more impact and would re-

duce air fares through the discounts given for groups. Mr Hayes had said that there should be exchanges over a wide field so that they would bring a “mixed benefit” to both cities. He said he would be seeking the help of the state Government and the Tourist Department in furthering exchanges of visits.

Cultural and sporting ties already in existence between Adelaide and Christchurch were mentioned by several representatives present, but the idea of festivals embracing many activities won unanimous support. Community service club representatives promised support. Mr Pickering said he thought that a committee of about 18 to 21 with no more than three from each section (sports, community services, the arts, education and so on, the representatives to report to their sections') might be set up. He would undertake to set that organisation in motion in Christchurch. Mr Hayes said he would be most happy to do that also in Adelaide.