MOTION OF CENSURE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1929, Page 6

MOTION OF CENSURE

AGAINST W.A.A. CLUB

THE CENTRE'S DECISION

"VINDICTIVE FEELLNG

Although thcro was again talk of ■suspension avid a motion to that effect moved, the Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., after having received a letter from the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club on the subject of its recent sports meeting, which the centre at a previous meeting declared was an open meeting held contrary to the centre's ruling, decided last evening to censure the clulj. When the question of the Wellington Club's gathering was considered a week ago a decision was made, after a long discussion, that the club be asked to make an explanation. When the centre met last evening a letter from the- Wellington Club was read, in which it was stated that the club s committee considered that the meeting was solely a club gathering and that no permit to hold it was required, all competitors being either active or honorary members. "If your centre rules," continued the letter, "that at was an open meeting, then my committee are quite willing to abide by that decision, and express regret at unintentionally acting contrary to your rules."

Mr. 11. Eose, who occupied the chair during the discussion, pointed out that Mic centre had already ruled that the fixture was an open meeting. The question for delegates was whether the explanation was satisfactoryMr. Sponce moved that the letter _be not considered a sufficient explanation to the centre. Mr. Eose: "I don't know whether I can accept that. After all they express regret for acting contrary to tho ■rules. What more do you want, Mr. Spenec?" Mr. Spence: "I was under the impression that tho executive was to come here and give an explanation." MOVE FOE SUSPENSION. Mr. T. Farrington moved, and Mr. Spenco seconded, that tho officials of the Wellington Club should be suspended for one month from tho date of their sports meeting. Ah amendment to this, that tho officials should be suspended from the date of tho fixture until midday to-mor-row, was then moved by Mr. Poutawera, and seconded by Mr. Stalker. Mr. H. M' Cormiek said he thought tho centre should make it perfectly clear that it controlled the sport in the district. They had, however, to guard against any feeling of vindictiveness. Ho thought a more substantial penalty than suggested by Mr. Poutawera should be made. If tho officials were only penalised until midday to-morrow what did that amount to?

Voices: "Nothing at all; it would only be a farce. " Mr. D. Paris agreed with Mr. M'Cormiek on the question of penalty, and said that he trusted tho amendment iv:ould not be carried.

Mr. G. S. Bright emphasised the number of years the club had been connected with the sport in Wellington. The Wellington Club had an absolutely clean record, and even suspension for one day would bo felt very keenly by the officials.

INTERESTS OF THE SPORT. Mr. A. C. Kitto, as president of the Wellington Club, said that what struck him about the discussion was that the thought uppermost in the minds of most delegates was "what should we do to the Wellington Club." The sport _in general' did not matter to the majority of delegates, and jtt to him that appeared to be the most important point to consider. Tho question was: "Is this suggested penalty going to do the sport, any good?" If the Wellington Club had made a mistake it was willing to apologise and 'had apologised. Side issues should be left out of the discussion. The Wellington Club had been the mainstay of the sport in Wellington for years —before some of tho delegates were born. Ho urged delegates to consider tho interests of the sport. In holding the meeting tho club in no way had endeavoured to flout the centre's ruling.

The chairman said that he did not wish any decision to be mado without serious consideration having been given to the whole position. For his part he would be perfectly frank. His own opinion was that the club had made a very serious error, if not worse, in holding'the meeting, but still ho should feel very sorry if drastic action wore taken.

EFFECT OF SUSPENSION. In view of the loss on centre sports meetings this season, Mr. F. S. Hill said that even if Wellington Club members were debarred from taking part in to-morrow's meeting, the- centre would \ie faced with a greater loss. Voices: "Kidieulous." "* Mr. Hill: "I don't think it is ridiculous. I think you will find that if these men are suspended it will affect the meeting. I consider the Wellington Club has broken the rules, but I don't think we should kill the sport." Mr. Poutawera said that he held no brief for the Wellington Club. His reason in moving the amendment was that ho considered that the period of suspension suggested by Mr. Harrington was too long. He was not convinced that all members were looking at the matter from the point of view of the best interests of the sport. To his mind there was a lot, of personal fecI"MEMBERS SWAYED."

Mr. .T. O'Sullivan: "There is a good deal of truth in what. Mr. Poutawera has said. Vindictivenos's has entered into this. The thought of getting one on to the- Wellington Club has swayed a lot of members. Thero is feeling; I can feel it gentlemen. It is bubbling. You arc- going to smash amateur athletics in Wellington and the sport throughout New Zealand will be affected."

Mr. Poutawera then withdrew his amendment, and moved that the Wellington Club bo censured for holding an open meeting contrary to the centre's ruling. This Mr. Stalker seconded, stating that he agrcgd with Mr. O'Sullivan's remarks.

Mr. Rose: "I cannot quite agree with somo of Mr. O 'Sullivan 's remarks. From conversations I have ,had with delegates who consider that some suspension should be meted out, J know that they take that view with reluctance."

Mr. Poutawera's amendment that the club should be censured was then put to the meeting and was carried. Bocoming the motion, the delegates were again asked to vote- on it, and it was carried by a good majority.