AMATEUR DEADLOCK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 137, 9 December 1908, Page 8

AMATEUR DEADLOCK.

o AN OFFICIAL OPINION. PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTRALASIAN UNION SPEAKS. Mr. R. J. Coombes, editor of the Sydney Referee, and president of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia, arrived in Wellington from Sydney to-day, to witness the Webb-Arnst race for the sculling championship of the world. In conversation with a Post reporter Mr. Coombes, in his official capacity, discussed the deadlock which has arisen between the Wellington and other branches of tho Amateur Athletic Association of New Zealand and the council at Christchurch. "At the present moment," said Mr. Coombes, ' ' the position is this •. tho five States in the Commonwealth — Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania — and the Dominion of New Zealand are bound by an agreement. These entities recognise the union as the governing body of amateur sport in Australasia. The union is empowered to deal with (1) the question of alliances with other bodies in different parts of the world ; (2j the definition of an amateur ; and the rules which govern amateur racing. It has no jurisdiction in regard to local affairs., The union can, of course, by consent Of the parties, adjudicate on disputes and troubles which may arise. An appeal on any point, however, can only be discussed and determined after it has been forwarded through the governing body — in the case of New Zealand, the council. " I will," he continued, "go so far as to say this, without in any way commenting on the merits of the dispute in New Zealand, that the differences which at present exist, appear to be friendly and concern only the validity of certain rulings as to procedure. It appeared to me that it would have been reasonable to have sent in the appeal to the union in order that the points in difference might be discussed and for (1) an expression of opinion, or (2) a ruling on tho case." Mr. Coombes added that the governing body in New South Wales is much lsiger than that in New Zealand. It consists of' delegates from each affiliate J clvb — about forty delegates all told. "These men, he points out, are entirely disinterested, and might have been expected to give a disinterested ruling on the New Zealand trouble. It is clear, however, from what Mr. Cocmbes told our reporter, that the union at the present time can recognise only the New Zealand Council. The discontented party has written to him as president of the union, and after making enquiries on the spot as to the merits or demerts of the case, he intends, when he returns to Australia, to call the members of the union together, with a view to assisting in healing the breach. THE SCULLING RACE. According to Mr. Coombes, Arnst is a slight favourite in Sydney for the sculHng championship. Perhaps a shade of odds would be given on his chance, if anything. At all events, he said there are plenty of people who are prepared to back the ex-cyclist. THE BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP. Great interest, he says, is being taken m the boxing match to take place between Burns and Johnson on the 26th inst. Opinion is divided in Sydney as to the probable result. "If there are half a dozen supporters of Tommy Burns," he said, "you can find six who | favour the coloured man's chance."