AND INTERNATIONAL SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 79, 30 September 1924, Page 5

AND INTERNATIONAL SPIRIT

RETURNING ATHLETES .WELCOMED AT A CIVIC RECEPTION. Unusually large and equally as enthusiastic was the gathering of Wellington citizens which assembled in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, when the Australian and New Zealand Olympic athletes were tendered a civic reception. The Mayor, Mr. R. A. iWright, M.P., presided, and associated with him were Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. H. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Labour Party, with several members of the City Council.

In opening the proceedings, the Mayor apologised for the non-attendance of the Prime Minister, Hon, W. F. Massey, and members of the Cabinet, who were detained through pressure of business. Mr. Wright then dealt in detail with the splendid performances of. the four members of the New Zealand party, Miss Gwitha Shand, swimmer, Mr. C. Purdy, boxer, Mr. A. E. Porritt, runner, and Mr. C. Herd, swimmer. Mr. Herd, he Mentioned, had remained in London to enjoy a holiday with his parents, and Mr. Porritt, of course, had returned to Oxford to continue his studies. Members of the party believed Purdy's deci-' sion to be faulty; but, there it was. Ho congratulated the members of the team, one and all, for they had competed with splendid success against the best athletes in the world. Porritt had proved himself to be one of the greatest sprLnters in the world.

Among the Australians, continued the Mayor, was that great world-beater, Andrew "Boy" Chariton, who succeeded in establishing three world's records ,and in beating "his great Swedish rival, Arne Borg. Next came Mr. A. W. Winter, another world's record breaker, in the " hop, step, and jump." Then there was Mr. Dick Eve, world's champion diver. Australia might well be proud of her three world-beaters. It had been stated in some quarters that bad feeling had been engendered among the nations by the Games, but the Mayor did not see why they should bo "turned down" in the future, simply because of something which occurred at the last meeting. Perhaps it was that other countries had yet to learn.how to take defeats.' In conclusion, the speaker again congratulated the members of both' the Australian and New Zeaalnd parties on their fine performances..

Mr. Wilford joined with the Mayor in expressing his feelings of gratification at the success of the athletes. Chariton Winter, and Eve, all were from the same Buburb of Sydney—from Manly— and what a rousing reception they would receive on their return! There was nothing between the Commonwealth and the Dominion except the 1200 miles which separated the countries—they had the same aspirations, the same ideals and the same sport.

Mr. Holland also congratulated the *™ Zealand athletes and his "fellow Australians. The speaker said he believed sport to be one of the, greatest factors in linking together the people of the nations: "Sport does not belong to New .Zealand, Australia, England, or France alone! It belongs to the whole world. It is the result of international spirit. Competitive sport helped to create a better relationship beween peoples of different countries. It went towards building up a world spirit which made for the better being of all nations. :

In reply, Mr. 0. G. H. Merrett, manager of the Australian Olympic team, said that representing a nation at the Olympic Games was a far different matter from representing New Zealand against the Commonwealth. At the Games, 45 nations competed, and when one considered that these men were the cream of the athletic world, it was all the more gratifying that Australians and New Zealanders had met with such success. The speaker • added that it was not his wish to deprive anyone of the fruits of victory, but he did think that the present amateur boxing lightweight champion of the world should be Charlie Purdy. The latter was certainly disappointed when the decision was given against him, but he took his reverse like a man. Eight different countries were represented at the Tailteann Games in Ireland, and the speaker dealt at. length with the splendid' treatment the party had • received at this meeting. '