Next move on games uncertain

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 16

Next move on games uncertain

The chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Mr R. S. Scott has no definite suggestions for the next move on his proposal for a Xevv Zealand games.

Mr Scott >aid jesterday that he hoped <omeone’such as Mr H. C. Blazey, a vice-chairman of the committee which organised the Commonwealth Games, would convene a meeting of interested parties. Mr Scott will be the guest of honour and keynote speaker at a dinner on May 22 to launch an appeal for the Games. He will be meeting the organising committee for the Games and will take with him copies of such items as the operational and security plans for the Christchurch Games and as many of the subcommittee repons that hate been completed. While in Canada. Mr Scott intends to take up an invitation from the chairman of the organising committee for the 1976 Olympic Games (Mr R Rousseau) to visit Montrtal. VIEWS SOLGHT Although Mr Scott said he could make no comment on such a suggestion, it is believed that one of the reasons behind the invitation is to obtain his views on a constitutional matter which is giving cause for concern in Edmonton. At present the organising • ommittee has co-chairmen, the Mayor of Edmonton (Dr I. Dent) and the father figure of the Games movement in Canada. Colonel J. W. Davies, who lives hundreds of miles away in Toronto. The problem is mainly a political one. Mr Dent, who neads a Social Credit admin-j istration in Edmonton, faces an election later this year and commentators think he could lose. The question would then arise: should he

continue as co-chairman or should the new mayor fill the position? The problem is compounded by the fact that Canada has a Liberal Government. but the state of Alberta, of which Edmonton is a part, is ruled bv the Conservative Party. Mr Scott said that while it was possible that he may rie a«ked to give his views on how big a part politics should plav in the organising of a Games, the question

must be resolved by the Edmonton organising committee itself. “I can only explain how : we operated in New Zea- ■ land,” he added. f Mr Scott expects to be i back in New Zealand either > by the end of May or early in June. The final meeting of ! the Christchurch organising committee, at which the s committee will wind up its > affairs and go out of exist- > ence, will probably be held i soon after his return.