TOO MUCH LATITUDE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 21

TOO MUCH LATITUDE

A team .of Wellington amateurs visited Palmerston. North' this week where they met the .elect of Wanganui and Palmerston in a series of keen contests. .P. Eazos beat B. Ncwth;- K. Pago was given the decision over J. Anderson; S. Lack drew with 1-I.' Benton; and W. Hutchinson lost to' C. Anthony. Accounts of the matches- in local papers make it appear that the referee, Mr. A. Anderson, himself an old-time wrestler, was somewhat broadminded in his interpretation of the rules "governing amateur wrestling. If New Zealand amateurs ever hope to reach the stage where they cau engage in outside* competition, such as the Olympic Games, they will have to loam to wrestle strictly according to the book, and while it may be very nice to hear the applause of the uneducated (in the -wrestling sense) portion of the audience when professional holds are brought into play, they should, realise that"it is getting them nowhere. In any ease playing to the gallery should bo regarded as an abhorrent a practice in amateur wrestling as it is in any other branch of sport. Unless, however t referees take a h'rm stand in tho matter .and enforce the rules strictly

it is only to bo expected that some performers will take advantage of any latitude allowed.