TOURING ATHLETES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 14

TOURING ATHLETES

THE 21 DAYS LIMIT

SEEKING EXEMPTION

Discussion on tlie 21 days time limit on the visits of athletes from overseas took place at the monthly meeting of the souncil of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night. Mr I£. S. Marks, M.L.C., secretary of thp Amateur Athletic Union of Australia was present at the meeting, and was asked fot his opinion on the matter. A communication from the president of the International Amateur Athletic Association (Mr. J. S. Edstrom) in reply to the council's request for an extension o£ time in connection with the proposed tour Df Borah, Leomond, and Kueh, stated that those athletes could not receive payment for their travelling expenses for a longer sojourn than 21 days in New Zealand. The time occupied in travelling from the United States to New Zealand would not be included'in those 21 days.' ■ The.athr letes could spend say ten dnys' riii NewZealand and eleven days-in ■Australia as the travelling days between New Zealand and Australia would not be counted. In the circumstances it did not; iseem'; necessary to make any extension". 1.; unless-' the' council had any stronger reasons, than those given in its cablegram:.'; 1- •..- >: ■•_•■' The general secretary of the/> Victorian Amateur Athletic Association .wrote:stating that it was the, intention..of the association to'open, up T-';;otiat;ious immediately with a view to obtaining an overseas visit next'track season, posjsibly at the time 1 of the Australian :- championships, which will be held in Melbourne. In tliia project it was desired to with the New Zealand Association, -sp, that a saving of expenses could be nia'de' by both associations, in ..addition to other desirable • effects./.' :.:.. ■■', •!; .■■.

Although strenuous endeavours hud been made for some time past by the association to arrange a tour of Australia by international athletes, they had been unabje to bring the scheme to fruition. In the case of their invitation to American athletes, the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States had refused permission for a tour of more than 21 days, which, of course, was useless as far'as a tour of the Australian States was ' concerned. They then concentrated their efforts upon obtaining a visit from Dr. Peltzer and a sprinter, preferably H. Corts, and these two gentlemen were eager to accept. News was then received from the German union to the effect that owing td its regulations and conditions permission could not be granted. ■ ' . When the letters had been read the Hon. E. S. Marks said that he had done his best to make successful arrangements for the tour, and had even gone so far as to get the German Consul in Australia to cable, the German Government to let Peltzer and Corts leave immediately. His efforts were unavailing, for the reply from the German athletic body definitely refused to let the men come. The 21 days time limit, said Mr. Marks, was to stop the continual touring of athletes in foreign countries. He thought that the overseas tours were overdone in some cases, especially in swimming. The feeling •in Germany at the present time was against such tours. It had been reported, however, that Dr. Peltzer was coming out independently. If that was so' it would result in serious complications internationally.

At the suggestion of Mr. Marks it was decided that the' New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association should co-operate with the Australian Amateur Athletic Union in approaching the ' International Amateur Athletic Federation with a view to getting an extension of the 21 days time limit.