CYCLING CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 56, 29 November 1929, Page 6

CYCLING CONTROL

SEPARATE BODY ADVOCATED A “BREAK-AWAY” MEETING Feeling ran high at times last night when at a meeting of members of the Port Nicholson Amateur Road Racing Chib, the question of taking the control of amateur cycling out of the hands of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was discussed. Mr. H. D. Bennett, who presided, said he understood that the proposal to be put. before the meeting was one that would have a far-reaching effect and which called for the most careful consideration. The meeting, he said, was to be asked to consider a proposal to set up a distinct controlling body and to affiliate with the parent body of the world, the headquarters of which were in France. Up to the present, continued Mr. Bennett. athletic clubs had taken a sort of parental control over cycling in New Zealand. If. New Zealand cyclists were sufficiently numerous and well organised to warrant a separate control, then it seemed that it would be a wise step to set up a separate organisation, and it would be the duty of the new body to work in harmony with other associations in New Zealand. On the other hand, it might not be discreet to antagonise the other bodies. He thought it could be taken for granted that if the cycling movement throughout. New Zealand favoured a separate' body, then the parent body would be bound to accept affiliation. Mr. H. D. London, treasurer of the Port Nicholson Club, moved: “That this meeting approves of the proposal of the New Zealand Union of Cyclists for direct affiliation.” Mr. London said he favoured the proposal because he felt that cyclists had reached the stage when they were capable of controlling their own affairs. . Against the Motion.

Objection to a statement by Mr. London regarding the upholding of the cyclists' interests was made by Mr. Bright. He spoke of the. growth of cycling in Wellington. and considered that it had come to the stage when it was successful. Now they had a proposal to drop the organisation that had helped to bring cyclists up to that successful stage. In his opinion, the whole trouble had arisen out of a squabble between an Auckland club and its parent body. "What are we going to gain by the proposal?” he asked. . "Mho will stand behind tills movement to break away? We are going to be up again every organisation in New Zealand. We are a “break-away” movement, and “breakaway” movements never receive the support they ought to!” Mr. Bennett: I presume, Mr. Bright, you have come hero in the capacity of an officer of the Port Nicholson Club, and not as an emissary of the Wellington Centre? Regret at the small attendance was expressed by Mr. A. C. Kitto, who stated that it seemed that two or three were taking united action to push the position through. Mr. Kitto also spoke of his in’terest in the world of cycling. In regard to Mr. Stewart (who wrote a letter from Auckland that was read to the meeting), Mr. Kitto considered that he was taking a lone hand. In Mr. Kitto's opinion it. would bo better to wait to see if the N.Z.A.A.A. was getting affiliation, or the other body. .Mr. Kitto did not think that anv grievance could be coming from Wellington so far as the control of cycling was concerned. This movement, he concluded, might, or might not, be the thin edge of the wedge of professionalism. If they broke away, he felt that they would always regret it.

"To Advance Cycling.” According to Mr. C. Thompson, the meeting had already come to a decision on the matter. He stated that if they considered their own interests, then they should riin their own sports, with their own men. He alleged that the centre had used the cyclists to draw crowds to their own meetings. “Here is your opportunity to advance cycling, and 1 want you to take it.” he concluded. Tn the-opinion of Mr. W. Bray, the matter was -being looked at in the wrong light. He thought that those present, were really thinking too much of themselves. In his' view cyclists were treated better in Wellington than in any other centre. At the same time he thought that the Auckland cyclists should be supported. Gain or Loss ? The president of the Port Nicholson Club (Mr. J. Stalker) said the. question was, if the motion materialised, had they the men to do the work, or would they find themselves with just two or thtee to do it. Also, were they going to gain by breaking away, or were they going to lose? Mr. Bright moved an amendment that the motion be held over for one ' week as he did hot think they were justified in taking so drastic a step in view of the attendance at the meeting. The amendment was- lost. Mr. London's motion was put to the meeting and carried, there being one dissenting vote?.