AUSTRALIAN SPORT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 35, 11 February 1914, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SPORT

NEW ZEALAND'S ATTITUDE NEED FOR HARMONY New Zealand's attitude in connection with sporting organisations, which comprise both the Commonwealth and Dominion, has always been more or less puzzling to Australians (declares a. writer in Sydney Morning Herald). In regard to the Olympic games the two countries are at present allied under theheading of Australasia, but at Melbourne recehtly the New Zealand delegates withdrew from a meeting which had for its object the formation of a combined body to arrange all details in connection with our representation at Berlin in 1916— an end subsequently attained by the unanimous verdict of the Australian State Olympic councils. The reason assigned for the withdrawal was the growing feeling in New Zealand against being governed by a body outside the Dominion, yet on the following day the same delegates took part in the deliberations of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia, a body con» trolling athletics in both Australia and New Zealand on a representative basis, similar to that proposed in the case of the Olympic Federation, and with an executive situated in Sydney. Further, at a meeting of the Amateur Swimming Union of Australia (to which all the States belong, but not New Zealand), held in Sydney last Friday, a request was received from the Swimmihg Association of the Dominion for admittance to the union arid the championship agreement. : Apparently the New Zealand Bporting bodies do not hold similar views regarding an Australasian controlling body in sport. Frequently the subject of an appeal to the International Olympic Committee for a separate recognition of New Zealand as distinct from Australia has been raised, but has been defeated in the Dominion by very small margins on occasions. There was also an agitation for separate lawn tennis representation in "Davis Cup " matches, j when Anthony Wilding wag in residence in the South Island. On the other hand, an attempt was made to form an alliance with Australia in rowing matters, which was not accomplished, chiefly on account of the doubtful amateur standing, from the Australian viewpoint, of the Dominion oarsmen. The Athletic Union ? Swimming Union, and Lawn Tennis Union ; must speak for the whole of its constituent bodies in any matters of international importance —the ( duty, also, of the Federated Olympic Council recently formed on exactly the same basis, with the exception that each body is limited to its own sport, while the federation deals with subjects comprising more than one exercise, such as the Olympic Games. However, New Zealand representation in 1916 will assuredly, have to be controlled by a central manager and executive. Only one team from Australasia can compete, and to divide that combination into two sections would undoubtedly be courting certain failure. The title adopted of Australia and New Zealand should remove any objections on the score of the good to bo derived by both countries, from the performances of our athletes. The distance between the centre (Sydney) and New Zealand, is not so far, as western Australia, for instance. The United States of America, with headquarters at New York, has a, bigger population and more first-class athletes in California, farther away from the centre, and taking longer to reach by train, than New Zealand does by boat from Sydney. Then, still farther away is Honolulu and the Hawaiian Islands. Yet, alh'.come under one organised controlling body, and the same can be effected here. , Organisation is the watchword of presentday sport, and Australia has learnt her lesson. Jt is hoped that the Dominion sportsmen will ultimately join in and give the Federated Olympic council* of Australia and New Zealand its earnest support, when all that will remain is tho selection of capable and earnest officials to make the scheme a success.