OTAGO CRITICISM

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 28, 2 August 1927, Page 11

OTAGO CRITICISM

CASE OF E. W. LANDER

Reference was made by Mr. E. Guy at last evening's meeting of the Council _of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to the criticism levelled at the council by the Otago Centre for not sending the name of E. W. Lander on to the Olympic Council as a man up to Olympic standard at the present time.

The sub-committee appointed to select the athletes, said Mr. Guy, had recommended to the N.Z.A.A.A. Council that Lander would probably be an Olympic candidate and would probably be up to Olympic standard before the selection of the New Zealand team for the Games. Every athlete in New Zealand would agree that Lander showed great promise, and would give him the credii; due him. He was without doubt a very fine, admirable, and promising athlete. "I do not think, however," aided Mr. Guy, '' that the Otago Centre in its sane senses could say ho is up to Olympic standard at the present time. If he were up to that standard and this council did not send his name to the Olympic Council, then there would be cause for criticism. Lander has done 15 l-ssee at Auckland for 120 j yards hurdles, but he has only put up that time once. He may be up to Olympic standard By the time the team is selected, and I hope he will be." Mr. Guy referred to the fact that J. T. Fleming (the Wellington athlete) had run 440 yards in Auckland in 50 sec, a time which had not been equalled by any other New Zealander competing in New Zealand. Had he not an equal claim to Lander? Of course he had, and yet Fleming's name had been for- ! warded to the Olympic Council on eqaal terras with that of Lander's. The Otago Centre, he thought, should refrain from making statements contrary to fact. LAI i? POLICY