"NICE HOLIDAY"

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1935, Page 11

"NICE HOLIDAY"

CRICKET CONFERENCES

MUCH "STEAM"; LITTLE

DONE

WELLINGTON CRITICISM

A" trip to the biennial conference of the New Zealand Cricket Council is regarded by the chairman of the "Wellington Cricket Association (Mr. P. B. Broad) as a "very nice holiday," but, unless there is a definite prospect of business worth while being dene, he feels that a trip to the coming conference should not. be undertaken merely for the pleasure of it.. From past experience of the conferences, he informed members of the Wellington Cricket Association's management committee last night, he had come to the conclusion that they were "occasions for letting off steam," with very little being done. NO ACTION TAKEN. When the question of being represented at the conference in Christchurch next month was raised, the chaix-man said that under ordinary circumstances he was going to ask the committee not to send a delegate. Explaining the reason for this he said that at a conference of representatives of the four major associations, called by the New Zealand Cricket Council and held in Christchurch last November, an understanding had been reached that the council would in future convene meetings of representatives of the major associations. The council apparently was not acting in accordance with the understanding. At the biennial conference the ■ position, was that there were nineteen representatives of minor associations and four of major associations. There were matters of importance in each season so far as the major associations themselves were concerned but their power, in voting strength at the conferences, was very limited. This season there was no little trouble in having the Plunket Shield matches arranged, and if the council had convened a conference of the major associations the difficulties would have been obviated. , "The administration of ' cricket in New Zealand," said Mr. Broad, "will not go ahead until the major associations are brought together in conference on the lines suggested." The chairman added that he could not overlook the fact, however, that there was one matter of considerable importance to be raised at the next biennial conference. It was the question of three or four days for Plunket Shield matches, and there was also the question of increasing the voting strength of. the major associations. The question of the number of. days for Plunket Shield matches was so important that he thought perhaps that Wellington "should send a delegate. "MIGHT NOT LIKE IT." ■ Mr. H. E. Moore: Will we be putting ourselves off side if we write in terms as you suggest? . ■ The chairman: Why? Mr. Moore: They might not like it. The chairman: I know they will not like it. I think they have deliberately set themselves against the idea of calling the major associations together. The attention of members was called by Mr. Broad to the proposal made some time ago in the direction of altering the constitution of the council by providing for direct representation from the major associations. That had been withdrawn because it had been understood that the council would give effect to the request that conferences of the major associations be called at least once, if not .twice, a year. Apparently the council was determined to do nothing in the matter. Mr. E. G. Aim: The only thing to do is to revive our motion. ' The chairman: The most effective thing to do is not to send a'delegate. If we say it is a waste of time sending one, the council will take some notice of it. SHOULD NOT STAND ALONE. It was suggested by Mr. J. H. Phillipps that .that action might affect the position so far as the proposed new voting powers were concerned. There would possibly be the feeling that the major association were not at one with the council. Mr. L. Pointon considered that the best policy was to get into touch with the other associations, ascertain their views, and have the whole question thrashed out at the conference. Mr. W. P. Walker said he would not like to see the Wellington Association standing alone in its attitude. He thought Mr. Broad was quite right and that his feelings should be backed'up by the committee. Mr. L. Rust also thought that the other associations should be communicated with. . In view of the fact ■ that ; matters, such as those dealing with the visit of the M.C.C. team' and the next New Zealand tour of England, would no doubt be placed before the conference, Mr. J. S. Hanna thought it advisable that Wellington should send a delegate, and he moved" that Mr. Broad go to the conference as Wellington's representative. He realised, at the same time, that for many years past ,Mr. Broad had been disappointed at the conferences.

The motion was carried, though Mr. Broad indicated that there was no cei> tainty that he would be able to accept the position.