COUNCIL OF SPORT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 202, 24 May 1945, Page 5

COUNCIL OF SPORT

Annual Meeting Of National Body MR. A. C. KITTO ELECTED PRESIDENT •the annual meeting of the New Zealand Council of Sport in Wellington yesterday, which was attended by 25 delegates from all centres of the Dominion, took steps to apply fpr incorporation under the Incorporated Societies Act, 190 S, and adopted rules and constitution submitted. The chief alteration in the rules was the substitution of the. word “member” for that of “alilliated,” which the president, Mr. W. A. Jenkins (Dunedin), who presided, said would probably meet the problems of those organizations who, were alilliated to overseas bodies. -The president, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that in any review of the second year of the council’s activities, members of the council and aHi Ha ted bodies must feel a sense of satisfaction at what bad been accom plished for the good of sport as a whole lu spite of various obstacles which had been overcome. The council had not been established without opposition, but that opposition, he felt sure, bad been brought about largely through a misconception in many minds as to what the council was meant to be. and what was its constitution. That opposition had been overcome In many instances, but it still existed in some quarters, and they would have to use their best endeavours .to overcome It. There were some people who could not get away from the Idea that the Council of Sport was a Government body, but those who had been associated with the movement in their own centres or nationally would agree that nothing was further from the actual state of affairs. It was realized that a council of sport would be a line avenue of approach to local bodies and the State, so far as recreation was concerned, he .continued. He had found the utmost amity between all organizations affiliated with the Council of Sport in Otago. Some were weaker than others, the .Rugby Union, of course, being stronger than any other. Yet in Otago tlie Rugby Union representatives bad given advice and help to other bodies, and the Otago centre had experienced no difficulty In having men connected with amateur and so-called professional organizations working side by side, and imbued with a common alm—the fostering of interest in healthy sport. It had been said in some quarters that there was no need for a national council. That might apply to strong bodies, but the smaller and weaker organizations would agree that they had had nothing but benefit from their participation in the movement. The council had been responsible for gaining relief for many sports bodies in the way of ground rents, preventing the alienation of reserves, watching that adequate provision was being made for recreational activities In all housing schemes. Carrying On. There might be defections from the council, because every organization was entitled to its own views, but the council would go on. They appreciated and valued the great help which had been given them bv the Minister in charge of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Department, Mr. Parry. They regretted the attitude of certain members of the Rugby Union, but even if they dropped out In tpto--which did not appear likely judging by the deliberations of the Wellington Rugby Union and the fact that the Waikato Rugby Union had decided to remain affiliated to the Waikato Provincial Council of Sport —the council would carry on in a united effort to promote the aims of sport and recreation. ’ ' .. In seconding the motion. Mr. J. Meltzer (Wellington) said the outstanding achievement of the council was the creation or a consciousness that there was need for the participation in physical recreation in order tliat the country could create better citizenship. The council had received a grant from the Government tor the purpose of assisting provincial councils but this would be dispensed very cautiously, as the -policy was that provincial councils should be self-supporting. Sport and physical recreation were going, to loom large in the post-war years, and tlie Council of Sport could do valuable work in this direction by way of co-opera-tion and advice. It might also do useful work in the development ol community Ce Sera-aI delegates congratulated the council upon the valuable work It had done durlirn- the year, and the motion to adopt the report and balance-sheet was carried unanimously. Quality of Equipment.

Miss D. Brown (Canterbury) moved that the price and quality of all sporting equipment be investigated. In moving the remit Miss Brown said that at almost every meting of the Canterbury provincial council complaints were received concerning tue poor quality of sporting equipment, particularly tennis balls. Delegates pointed out that to suggest an Investigation into the price and quality or sporting goods would be trending on clan•'erons ground. There was a I rice T. bunal, and the quality of sporting goods had been gradually Improving. It was pointed out that all goods e< ntalnlng rubber had to be manufactured with reclaimed rU At C the suggestion of Mr. A.- Marshall (Wellington), it was decided to ask provincial councils to bring before the 2 n anagement committee any Instances of the excessive price or poor quality of sporting ’’'jllss Brown thereupon withdrew her m °On°Uie motion of Miss Brown, ft was decided to express satisfaction at the an onnecment of the Minister in cbarge of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Depart me’nt that it was the Government s intention to publish .a sports, guide, and the management committee was a&keil to keep t!l Mr n N.*ll.’Ballinger moved, on behalf of the New Zealand Table Tennis Association, ‘‘That suitable accommodation be provided for the playing of all i ll ‘ d °" l L," i J" t snorts ns soon as circumstances Perm it. Mr. A. Marshall said that this linked up with the proposal to establish community centres. Right throughout the I onxluion there was a scarcity of suitable halls for Indoor games. It had been suggested that }?!e bodies which could afford it should .subscribe more funds for 'ho ei’ ec > ? n n "f suitable halls than bodies ybkh did not attract large attendances. H® had ad *e. Indoor winter sports organizations to ap p n roacS u’eir locil bodies for the Provis on of accommodation to carry on their actlvl ties and, if they could not get to bring the matter to the notice oft the C Eve e ntually, P ?he following amendment by Mr. J. Meltzer was substituted and carr'ie<L “That provincial councils be request! d to inaugurate a vigorous campaign -nith the hioct of assisting Indoor snorts organizations to obtain increased facilities for the ciHTvluß ou their iictlNiiies. The election of officers resulted as f - inwfi‘-Patron Dr. IT. Pettit (Auckland), Mr.' A C. Kitto (Wcll ngtonG vic., nresidonts Mr. A. Marshall (MellingJon) and Mrs? il D. Moir (Well Ing ton?; mangement committee, MLs M. /‘ rn ’\“ on .‘' and Miss M. Wilkins, and ''- *}’ Baker, H. N. Ballin’A’i’. " ■ J. Grifiin. • . Meltzer. D. T. Woodmdd. and J. H- ™ lipps; secretary-treasurer, Mr. A- ca eoner (re-elected) ; lion. au( .-'. tnr ’ '. ' G.’ R Little (re-elected'; bon. solicitor. Mr. w. u. P>lrks (re-elected).