SOCCER IN NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 86, 10 April 1924, Page 9

SOCCER IN NEW ZEALAND

PARENT BODY MEETS

IMPROVING THE FINANCES.

• The 1924 season promises to be an important one in the annals of Association Football, and for that reason special interest attached tot the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association, held in the Accountants' Chambers last evening Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., presided, arid there were also present Messrs. W. Heseltine, £. Rose HI. Graves, H. Mayer, A. Bolton, H. .keoman, W. J. Perkins, F. Sunders, H.D. Warner, F. Campbell, A. G. Barnett, M. J. Hayward A Varney, H. J.'Buck (Wellington), L. C. H. Dawson (Auckland), M: Thomlej, R. B. Bunt and W D. Ramsay (Christchurch), and J. D.. Duncan (Otago), and B. L. balmon (secretary). In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr. Buck remarked on the progress that-had been made with the game, but there was yet much to do. Referring to questions of -finance,* Mr. Buck said that at present they had the princely sum of .£25, and he felt it was not worth" while going 'on with the'position as it was at present They could not talk about progress unless they made progress in their financial affairs. .Mr. H. Mayer seconded the adoption of the report, and in so doing h- remarked that lack of finance had ueen their greatest stumbling block. At one stage they, did not have a penny, and if it had not been for th e Auckland Association they -would have been in a very sorry plight indeed. In spite of lack of finance, however, the game made great progress, and the coming season would be a big one from every point of view The visit of the Chinese team should prove a big fillip to the game. Last season they had paid, a return visit to Australia, and he was pleased to be able to say that much good had resulted from the tour. He stressed the need of working in harmony with. the I Australian authorities. The visit of the Fleet would also provide-a.big attraction. One difficulty they would have to 4ace this season was the.shortage, of grounds. • -Mr. Dawson also remarked on the pro.gress that had been' made in New Zealand, referring particularly to Wellington'and Auckland.. Criticism" had -been levelled against the/Auckland Association for making Brown Shield matches a means of propaganda, but if shield matches were riot propaganda, then what 'were they? He-thought that the Wellington. Association .'might".'have made their complaint to Auckland direct, instead of airing the matter in the Press. . The. failure of clubs and players to pay their subscriptions' was dealt -with by Mr. Campbell, who urged on the representatives of the various ' associations the/necessity of. stressing .the importance of paying up _ subscriptions in order to place: associations on a sound financial basis. ' ' •,.'•'■■" ''■•■. ' '.The chairman said that the number at the meeting satisfied him that there had been.no falling off in enthusiasm, and he did riot know of a sport that was more fortunate iri the men at the bead of affairs. The past season had been a particularly successful .one, arid the New Zealand team was to be congratulated on- its-.'.'success, .in bringing back the "Ashes." j The team had been ably, captained by Mi. Campbell, and ably managed by, Messrs. Mayer and Graves. The report gave a forecast of still> further .undertakings, such as the Chinese tour and the proposed visit from an English combination. In regard to finance, he strongly supported Mr. Camp-, bell's remarks regarding the payment of subscriptions. ' The motion was carried^ IMPROVING.THE FINANCES, ; Mr. Campbell moved the following as an _ amendment of bylaw 5: "The subscription for each affiliated association shall be a minimum of £3 per annum, and a further sum of ss. for each team exceeding four, excluding all teams below fourth grade and school teams, engaged in various club competitions under its auspices, with a maximum of £12." Coupled with the mo'ion, the. following decision of the council came up for approval: "A registration t fee of Is per player shall be imposed upon each senior, junior, and third grade player., taking part in club, competitions under ,the auspices of each affiliated . association. The fees shall be forwarded to this association not later than 31st May, and twelve players shall'be returned for each team." . ■ In moving fJhe motion, Mr. Campbell said that the proposal was, the outcome of deliberations of the Finance Committee. Association football, as' far as playing was.concerned; had gained a prominent place, but the .time had arrived when there was an urgent necessity for improving the finances. It was due to the 'players and their supporters that they should do that. , The proposals would not have the effect of ; being a hardship on the associations. / ," The motion was. seconded by Mr. Duncan, .who .said that with so much work in prospect it was' essential that they should have'a sound financial backing:. . ' - : Support to the motion was given by Mr. Graves, who said that within the next-, three weeks they' had to equip and assemble a New Zealand team at Wellington, and they had . a .paltry sum of £26 in the bank! He sincerely trusted that the motion would find support. ' Mr. Dawson said that the opinion was; held in Auckland that thp payabio by each association should be £20 not £12. '• ■„ •■ ' "This is the 33rd annual meeting'of the association," remarked Mr. Salmon, "and we have only £23 6r so. That means that we have not made as much' as £1 per year out of the-game." Only that day a gentleman interested in the gam? had called on him- and had made "a. donation of £10.' It seemed to him like taking money by false pretences, when.the associations were not doing as much for them. . ■ . Mr. Buck strongly supported the motion, and referred to the necessity 'of i having a paid secretary, in view of the increasing importance of the game. "Canterbury's experience has been that players will play, but not 'pay," remarked Mr. Ramsey, who added that ho would like:to see the men made to contributes There was one question—were they not overloading-' those who were taking .part in the sport? If ■they had to go back and make another levy he was afraid that they would lose players Mr. Bunt said that .he was quite'prepared to support; the amendment to bylaw 5, but be could not'see his way clear to support the endorsement of the council's decision in regard to registration [ ees,l i, c , ch*rf ed f°r Association football were, he believed, higher than any other branch of football On behalf of the Wellington Association, Mr. Warner said that the association had not been too pleased at the prospect of paying further fees, but they realised the necessity 6f improved finances, and had instructed the speaker to vote for both proposals. - ' . . -Mr: Yeoman expressed the ' opinion that the motion, if carried would nut many of the smaller associations out of business He quoted the case of South Auckland in particular. The motion was carriodj ttar.e beijig;

only two dissentient votes. The motion that the decision of the council in regard to registration fees should be adopted was then piit to-the meeting, and was carried by 17 to 16 votes. A 'motion that new associations, should pay a sum of £2 on applying for affiliation was carried .unanimously. ■ UNDER COUNCIL'S'CONTROL. It was moved by Mr..Salmon that the following should be added to rule 6, governing Brown Shield matches: "An association controlling any matches under the control of the N.Z.F.A. shall he allowed one month from date of match to render to the council complete accounts in connection with the match. Should any further delay take place without the authority of the council a fine not exceeding £2 may be imposed upon the- association in default." Mr. Graves seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent. Mr. Salmon also moved the adoption of the following decision of the council: "All matches, contests, tournaments, tours, or games arranged or controlled by the council shall in all cases take precßlence over the fixtures of affiliated associations or of clubs under their control, and shall have paramount claim upon all players and others concerned." The motion was seconded by Mr. Mayer, and was also carried without dissent. ■ ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers'were elected as follow:—Patron, His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral; president, Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C. ; vice-presidents, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Dr. E: A. Walker, Dr. J. D. Marks, Messrs. F. J. Courtney, H. G. Mayer, R. English; C. E. Statham, H. M'Keowen, J. J. Roberts, R.\M. Chadwick, L. P. Davies, A. M. Myersl, E. Ritson. W. Munckton, W. D. Ramsay, L. A. Stapleton, A. G. Barnett, J. M'Kinnon,' A. Bolton,' E. Davis, E. Beckett, C. E. Fordham, A. Menzies, H; J. Duncan, R. B. Bunt, W.. G. Herd, A.. Williams, and A. E. Wells; hon. secretary, Mr. B. L. Salmon; hon. treasurer, Mr. H. I. Graves; represer>'.tive to Football Association in London, Mr-. A. E. Gibbs; hon. auditor, Mr. A. G. Barnett. ' .'.'.. .' v The Marlborough Association was elect- • ed a member of the association.