NEED OF ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1923, Page 3

NEED OF ACTION

EMPIRE AND OLYMPIC GAMES

NEW ZEALAND EEPEESENTATION.

Lack of interest on the part of some sports bodies in the matter of New Zealand representation at the British Empire and Olympic Games accounted for some strongly-voiced opinions at a meeting of the\ Olympic Council last evening. Only six of fourteen memberß of the council were present at the meeting, and in drawing attention to that fact, Mr. A. G. Henderson (tennis representative) suggested that it would be preferable to drop the proposal to nave New Zealand represented rather than make a fiasco of it. It seemed that some of the aportß bodies were not keen on it. The chairman (Mr. A. T. Davies) pionted out that that had been the usual experience; the work was left to half-a-dozen members. An appeal for all sports bodies to throw their P6lß "* "Jt° the work was made by Mr. r. N. Bundle (swimming representau'ij , ° ""Mdered that the Dominion should be represented at the games, and that sports bodies should take a broad outlook on the matter. Those present at the meeting represented only four sports bodies. Kiev I*™' Me"™- A. T. Davies (N.Z.A. A.A.), P. N. Bundle, B. B. Wheeler (swimming), A. D. Bayfeild, and D. B. Menzies (rowing), A. C. Henderson (tennis), and C. G. Camp (secretary). The chairman spoke of the benefits to be derived from New Zealand representation at the two notable gatherings. The running of an art union, with prizes amounting to £1200,. was under way in order to provide the means to finance sending a team, and it was expected that £10,000 would be obtained. He suggested that a citizens' committee might be set up to assist in obtaining the prize money. A report by the secretary showed that guarantees ©f £50 and £25 respectiveFy had been made by the Swimming Association and the N.Z.A.A.A. The New Zealand Kugby Union had referred the matter to its affiliated bodies and the N.Z. b.A., and replied that it had no funds. After further discussion on the matter, during which the inaction of gome of the sports bodies was further commented upon, the following motion, by Mr. Henderson, and seconded by Mr Bayfeild was carried : "That the various sports bodies be written to, and that the council request all interested sports bodies to send live representatives to the next meeting." It was decided to request all sports bodies to be represented at a meeting on the 23rd October. .

_ Arrangements are to be made to have Olympic Committees set up in the various centres, such committees to approach the Mayors with a view to estaDiisfting citizens' committees in WaA^ft?' j£ di?' Timaru ' Christchurch, , Napier> Gisb °™. New Ply! lZh\- Pals? e, rst°n North ' Masterton, Blenheim, Nelson, Oamaru, and Ham-

tha^it airman Baid u,ie had b£en fo«nd tion th* lmp°BSlb 6 for thß Ms°«aIt m« t f\ T an w«>rP<»ated body. It meant that every member of every