CYCLING CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 11

CYCLING CONTROL

AGREEMENT SIGNED

LEAGUE AND THE COUNCIL

AN AMALGAMATION

The long-drawn-out dispute over the tontrol of amateur cycling in New Zealand seems to have at last reached finality. Mr. H. D. Bennett, chairman of the New Zealand Cycling Council, announced today that the New Zealand League of Amateur Wheelmen and the Cycling Council had signed an agreement in the following form:— THE AGREEMENT. The League of New Zealand Wheelmen and the Now Zealand Cycling Council to amalgamate and tho new body controlling amateur cycling to be known as the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association (N.Z.A.C.A.) on tho following conditions:—(l) No departure to be made from the foregoing unless by the democratic vote of the cyclists. (2) The present machinery of the League of New; Zealand Amateur Wheelmen to be used 'in conjunction with that of the New Zealand Cycling Council until reorganised on a democratic basis, and the immediate and complete reorganisation of cycling centres as per clause 5. (3) The administration of amateur cycling and all, 'ordinary domestic matters to be the' charge of the association. (4) The federation to take' care only of overhead business and appeals, (o) Cycling centres to be constituted of representatives of affiliated cycling, clubs in the various districts. Representation to be on the following basis:—lo to 20 active cyclists, 1 delegate; 21 to 30 active cyclists, 2 delegates; 31 to 50 active cyclists, 3 delegates; with a maximum of three delegates to any one club. These delegates to be elected annually by their respective clubs at the annual meeting of clubs before they are eligible to represent their clubs on cycling centres. (6) The appointment of delegates to cycling centres from athletic and cycling clubs to be made by the vote of the active cyclists only, their nominees to be approved cycling officials. (7) The executive of tho association to draft a complete set of rules for the Government of the sport in conformity with, those of the TJ.C.I. at the earliest opportunity; and the issue of federation (U.C.1.) licences as from January 1, 1934. (8) The executive to endeavour to enter into, an agreement with, the N.Z.A.A.A. regarding combined meetings similar to t;hat suggested -by the League of Wheelmen, and as now in existence between the American A.A.A. and the . American Amateur Cycling TJnion. (9) That the two sections of the New Zealand Cycling Federation come together and agree to a complete reconstruction with an increase in the personnel to three from each side (cash and amateur) with; an independent chairman. (10) The appointment of additional members to the N.Z.A.C.A. to represent Canterbury* and Wellington Centres—ono for each centre. CONTROL BY CYCLISTS. Mr. Bennett stated that the way had been prepared by a decision of officials of the N.Z.A.A.A. to allow the cyclists to control their own sport.' "It will be recalled," he said, "that quite recently Messrs. McVilly, Austad, and, Tracy, three leading officials of the N.Z.A.A.A. who were also members of the Cycling Council, resigned from the latter body for the express purpose of facilitating the transfer of cycling, control to purely cycling representatives. The agreo'nient now arrived at is, however, as between two factions amongst the amateur cyclists themselves—those under the banner of the newly-formed League of Wheelmen^ with headquarters at Christchurch, and of the Cycling Council. The latter body has conducted the sport as a branch of the activities of the N.Z.A.A.A., the , organisation responsible for the good conduct of cycling for many years past." Mr. Bennett said that the. agreement generally provides for the continuance of the present Cycling Council under a new name, but with the necessary provision for ultimate full and exclusive control by cycling bodies on an ample democratic basis, from clubs to centres, to the new Cycling Association, then on to the parent body, the Cycling Federation. The latter also controls1 the cash section., "Complete harmony will be restored all. around," Mr. Bennett said, "when the N.Z.A.A.A. lifts the ban that it has imposed against cycling events at athletic meetings."