ATHLETES' TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 31, 5 August 1930, Page 6

ATHLETES' TOUR

VISIT NEXT SEASON

ALLOCATION OF PROFITS

A cable has been sent to its American representative (Mr. C. G. Krogness) by tlie New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association inviting George Simpson, sprinter, and George Bulhvinklo, middledistance and mile runner, to tour New Zealand early next year. It was also reported at last evening's meeting of the council of tho N.Z.A.A.A. that application had been made to the International Amateur Athletic Federation for an extension of the rule allowing athletes to remain only twenty-one days in a country overseas. Letters were received from the centres approving of tho council's selection of Simpson and Bullwinkle. With regard to Harlow Eothert (field events), whom the centres were also asked to consider as a possible candidate, the general opinion was. that the invitation should be confinqd to Simp-son-and Bullwinkle. A suggestion was made, however, that the council should make inquiries as to whether Paavo Nurmi, the famous Finnish distance runner, was likely to be visiting Australia next season.

Several objections were made to dates allotted for meetings in the draft itinerary for the tour of Simpson and Bullwinkle. These were noted, and the itinerary meanwhile was left in. the hands of the secretary. The apportioning of the expenses for the tour (to which some reference was made in yesterday's "Post") was dealt with in a letter received from the Wellington Centre, which stated that it felt it was always unduly penalised in the allocation of profits of touis by overseas athletes. It is, estimated that tho expenses for the tour of Simpson and Bullwinkle will be approximately £850. The Wellington Centre suggested as an equitable arrangement that each centre should pay an even amount for each sports meeting held, with a difference to be made in the case of meetings held on a Wednesday, this money to-be paid to the council." : The centres, it was suggested^ should ;theh. be allowed to keep the profits made from the meetings, pay their own losses, and pay to the council'2s per cent, of the net profit. The 'letter added"that the centre felt that under, this scheme the centres would strive harder to make their meetings more successful. The secretary (Mr. L. A. Tracy) said that the arrangement the council had adopted, was suggested originally by the Wellington Centre in connection with a previous tour. I ■Mr. H. Amos said that the Wellington Centre made more out of the tours than any of tho others. They could all sympathise with the Wellington Centre to a certain extent, but he thought they were not looking at the matter in the right light. It appeared to.be forgotten: that athletics would not flourish unless in all the main centres as keen an interest was taken as in Wellington, and in order that that might be so it was necessary to give the other centres an opportunity of. seeing overseas athletes in action. Ho thought that the Wellingtons Centre was quibbling, and he did. nb^'like to,see tho centre rushing to the Press over such'matters.

The-Chairman (Mr. H. Austad) said he personally would like'to help Wellington if it were possible to do so, but immediately country districts were asked to pay ; £50 they would say^ that they would not do it, and the whole object'of bringing athletes to New Zealand would be defeated.

Mr. Amos: "Wellington really have got /no thing to quibble about. They do quite well out of it, and make more money than otherwise they would."

The Wellington Centre 'a proposal is to be referred to the other centres for their consideration.

It was mentioned that within the next few weeks the chairman would be leaving on a business trip to England, via Canada and America, and in view of a number of important matters the association has in train, he was empowered to act on behalf of the association while abroad.