HOW WILL IT END?

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 138, 10 December 1908, Page 4

HOW WILL IT END?

THE AMATEUR ATHLETIC SPLIT MEETING OF THE OLD COUNCIL. [BZ TELEGRAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 9th Dec. The subject of the recent conference of delegates of various athletic centres, at which the council of the New Zealand Association was declared to be illegally constituted, and a new one, composed of Wellington men, appointed, was discussed at the . meeting of the council held here to-night, when it was decided to place the whole facts of the case before tho various clubs throughout the Dominion and the executive of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia. Mr. W. [ G. Atack presided, the other members I present being Messrs. E. Nordon, D. | Hoare, H. L. Batcholor, and J. H. Aitken (hon. secretary). After -the ordinary business of the council had bfcen transacted Mr. Nordon said that a meeting had recently taken place in Christchurch having for its obiect the i formation of an opposition, body. Nothing so far, had been done to refute many of the untrue statements made at that meeting, and it seemed to him the time had arrived when the council, without going into mattery that might prejudice its position at a future date,- might issue some sort of circular to the clubs, setting out the true position of affairs. The council had nothing to conceal, for their position had been straight and above board all through. He felt that unless what he proposed were done a good many clubs would believe that the statements made at the I meeting in Christchurch were true. He had himself met a good many people who, when the true facts were explained to them, admitted there was a good deal of justification for the action of the chairman in refusing to accept the Wellington nominations. The chairman »aid the couucil should certainly place the facts before the clubs'. From what was said by the Dunedin delegates at the conference, it appeared that the Otago clubs did not know what the trouble was about. Mr. Hoare said it seemed to him that there were very few facts connected with the case. Certain nominations were received and ruled out of order by the chairman, whose action was subsequently approved. That was the whole trouble, and all the clubs knew it. The chairman said that all of the clubs did not know. Mr. Norton said that even if they did they did not know what the reasons were for the action taken. The council at the present moment was on its trial. All the evidence so far had been on one side, but the time had arrived when the council for its own protection must make a statement on the matter. Some very good and potent reasous could be given to justify the action of the chairman and council. Mr. Aitken said that the clubs should be given an opportunity of supporting the council. What had been done so far had been done by the centres, and it was not Itnown how far the clubs had been consulted. Mr. Nordon said the question should be asked what was to stop the Wellington men, if their nominations had been accepted, from coming down to Christchurch and voting the whole of the jcouncil's funds in paying their travelling expenses. Further, it might be pointed out that in all the discussions by the malcontents nothing had been, said about the competitors, who would be the real sufferers in the event of the Wellington people breaking up the council of the association. Mr. Hoare : I do not think the idea that these men would come down and vote away the association's funds had anything to do with the chairman's refusal to take the nominations. Mr. Nordon : It should be pointed out that such a thing was. possible. Mr. Hoare : I think you would be unwise to raise debatable matter of that sort. A COMMITTEE SET UP. Mr. Nordon then moved : — "That a sub-committee, to consist of Messrs. Batchelor and Hoare and the president, be elected for the purpose of drafting a circular to the various clubs setting out the true position of affairs in connection with this unfortunate incident, and that the committee bo given power, if they unanimously agree upon \ the terms of the circular, to forward it direct to the clubs without further reference to the council." Mr. Hoare 'said it would not do for him to go on the committee, for he was in the minority that objected to the chairman's ruling. Mr. Nordon said Mr Hoare's difference with the chairman was on a question of law, but that would not affect his position in sitting on a sub-committee o ' draft a statement of the facts. Mr. Hoare said he would be glad to sit on the committee to urge a modification of the terms of the circular. He had a strong objection to the use of ultra strong language or word-slinging, or/ anything of that sort. The clubs should be approached in a conciliatory way. The chairman said he would certainly approach the clubs in a conciliatory way. He had a strong feeling of pity for the clubs, for he believed that they had bppn misled over the whole matter. Mr. Norrlon's name was added to the sub-commitee. Mr. Nordon said that at the meeting an untrue statement had been made regarding the attitude of Auckland, and that statement had been made to influence the votes of delegates. Mr. Aitken said that at the time of the conference the Wellington delegates knew perfectly well that Auckland dis. approved of the conference of centres. The chairman said that no "doubt a misstatement had been made. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. THE NEXT CHAMPIONSHIPS. Mr. Aitken said there was the mattei of the next championships, which had been offered to Otago, but bo far had not been accepted. Mr. Hoare said that no official notice must be taken of the executive appointed by the conference. Mr. Nordon -. Suppose a month goes by and nothing further is done relative to the championships? Mr. Hoare: That ivili be a matter for future discussion. I think myself that the conference has made such an egregious error that things will straighten out naturally. Mr. Aitken said that" if the matter were held over too long there might not be time to arrange for a centre to take the meeting. • • The chairman said that the championship meeting could be held by the Canterbury centre, if necessary, for (they, would only want a small guarantee. It was decided to hold over the matter of the championship meeting for the present. The chairman said it was most, important that a letter on the subject should be sent to the Australasian Union. It was resolved that a letter should be sent without delay. Mr. E. Nordon was appointed actingsecretary during the absence of Mr. Aitken on holiday leave.

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