OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1935, Page 5

OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

NEW ZEALAND'S PLACE

LETTER FROM DR. PORRITT

An interesting" letter has been to ceived by Mr. H. Amos, hop. secre-tary-treasurer of the New' Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association, from Dr. A. E. Porritt, London, the association's representative on tiie International Olympic Committee. Great satisfaction is; felt by; the New Zealand association with Dr.Porritt's representation' of it,' and judging from reports received locally, the New Zealand representative made a fine impression at the first meeting he attended. In. his .letter. Dr. Porritt refers to.this meeting and various niat-; ters of interest to sports asspciatibris.■' Dr. Porritt states that it'''was; « grand meeting, being most intensely interesting and most enjoyable. In .the absence of any English representative and being Oxford's' delegate on the! British Olympic Association, he had quite an Empire role to play. 'He received a delightful welcome from.the committee, who were as charming and interesting a. group." of men' as .one could wish for. . ... •■> c ~ j ; "I am more than ever convinced that it was high: time New: Zealand was represented again- actively," continues Dr. Porritt. "and I have great hopes of putting us somewhere'on'the map again. We unfortunately had become, either forgotten or dubiously considered, but, I think, all ■. promises X. well again now. ■ I am very keen to keep up the liaison,with jrour end,.too." Dr. Porritt comments' on some 4 of the items on the agenda for the meeting. After a most interesting discussion, he says, the issue, as to whefe^the 1940 Olympic Games are to be ,held*lies definitely, between Rome and; Tokio.^Jhe decision has been postponed'untibrthe meeting of the • International: Olympic Committee at-Berlin next" year.' "I should greatly value your feelings in the matter," he adds. "Japan is certainly closer for New Zealand; but is at the moment nowhere near as readyto,stage an Olympiad as Rome. .'And again, one, must.consider the. possible effect on the whole Olympic movement of having two oiit-df three Olympiads out of Europe."

The New Zealand association = discussed this question, at its annual meeting this week and. decided to, give "'it full consideration three months hence before instructing Dr. Pbrritt as to the association's viewpoint ■'■■'"': r ' ■ Later in his lettePDr./Pdrritt says that'the German preparations ior the 1936 Olympic. Games- at ■Berlin are superb and that ■ it,: will not be the fault of the organisers if they do not outdo the last Olympic Games, held at Los Angeles in 1932, One point stressed by the.German organisers- was the value of each country bringing its own, flag (of which details and measurements would be sent later) 'arid that the flag should accompany 1 every Olympic team and be decorated^ with for example, a band to .mark; each Olympiad. Dr: Porritt asks whether this could not be made/ retrospective for New Zealand. ,;• ,;,■-. In concluding his. ietterfbr; Porri'tt mentions that Jack Lovelock is captain and that he himself'is president nT T?l- St- IVlary's HosPital Athletic Club this year. He' was looking forward to. Captain Evan Hunter?s return from his visit to Australia and New Zealand and first-hand news of most officials in' New. ■