EMPIRE GAMES TEAM

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 13

EMPIRE GAMES TEAM

Method Of Selection Attacked SELECTOR’S COMPLAINT By Telegraph-Press Assoeimion Christchurch, March 11. Revelations of the methods said to have been used in the selec ion oiTthe New Zealand teams for tlie E . mp ‘ C Games were made at the annual conference of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association this morning Strong criticism was voiced by two Auckland delegates and a letter was read from Mr. J. K. Moloney, Christchurch, one of the selectors. In his letter, Mr. Moloney contended that the power conferred on the selectors made them advisers only, and not selectors. It would appear that the power was the number of individuals and associations. AAheu 1 arrived in Wellington the secretary of the Empire Games Committee (Mr. H. Amos) was the first to try his hand, wrote Mr. Moloney. “He intimated to a large gathering of athletes before the trials who the successful ones would be. As a number of the athletes paid their own expenses this was, to say the least, a tactless attitude. The other selector (Mr. A. C. Kitto) and I conferred, and though in the dark as to the number to be sent, we produced a list in order of merit, which we thought covered the ground. We were informed that five women were to be sent, and there can be no doubt that we chose the five best on the day, although’ I personally woqld not have sent: any of them.” Mr. Moloney denied allegations that Mr. Kitto was sole selector.' “The real selectors were the New Zealand Council, as witness the inclusion of Weller’s name in the first list published. He had no claims whatever. It was a pure case of provincial bias. I would suggest a sole selector with absolute powers. If this man came from Auckland these would be no dissentient voice.”

"The statements made by Mr. Amos were entirely without authority,” declared Mr. H. McCormick, secretary of the New Zealand association. “Auckland felt sour at the selection of the Empire Games team, but we were sports and gentlemen enough to take our licking,” said Mr. A. Moon. “We made our protest through the proper channels. If the New Zealand council has power to veto selections made the selectors are not worth a damn.”

“The selection of the New Zealand team was made completely unconstitutionally, ’* declared Mr. H. Jenner Wiley (Auckland). “When we find that the council has not abided by the rules we have a perfect right in not having much confidence in the council." Mr. G. Benson (West Coast, North Island) suggested that one selector be appointed. Athletes did not want a team of selectors like the New Zealand Rugby Union, and then not know who was to blame. It was eventually decided to recommend to the New Zealand council that the teams should be chosen by two selectors, one in the North Island and one in the South Island, and that in the event of any disagreement between the selectors the decision of a referee appointed by the council should be final. . REPLY BY MR. AMOS Making Of Reported Statement Denied “I was amazed to read the remarks attributed to Mr. Moloney, of Christchurch,” said Mr. H. Amo§, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association, in a statement to “The Dominion” last night. “The statement that I intimated to a large gathering of athletes before the trials in Wellington who the successful athletes would be is absolutely wrong,” Mr. Amos continued. “I did meet as many athletes as possible at Barrett’s Hotel to obtain some definite information about t uniforms, since the manufacturers wanted this information urgently. It is true that Mr. Moloney criticised my action, but the circumstances iwere explained to him, and I understood the explanation was acceptable. However, it is evident that Mr. Moloney is making capital at my expense, and all I can say is that his action is most unsportsmanlike. “I reported the incident to Mr. H. McCormick, chairman of the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association, and the secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. VVliile I am quite prepared to leave the matter in Mr. McCormick’s hands, I have no doubt that he said a good deal more in reply to Mr. Moloney than the statement that appeared in the message as published, namely, that the secretary acted without authority.”