"BEATING THE GUN"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 13

"BEATING THE GUN"

JAPANESE ATHLETES

N.S.W. OFFICIAL'S

REMARKS

POINTED REPLY

The allegations of "secrecy" amd a breach of etiquette against the New Zealand amateur athletic authorities made, according to a cablegram published in "The post" today, by the treasurer of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association, will be astounding to those who have carried out the negotiations for the visit .of o*3 Japanese athletes. The matter of the tour has been a subject of correspondence between New Zealand and New South Wales, and only this week a communication was received from the secretary of the New South Wales Association with regard to appearances by the Japanese athletes in Sydney. A complete reply to the charges alleged to have been made by the treasurer of the N.S.W.A.A.A. was made by Mr. H. McCormick, .secretary of the N.Z.A.A.A., when the text of the cablegram was brought to his notice by a "Post" representative.

Many months agoi said Mr..McCormick, joint negotiations were being carried out by New South Wales and New Zealand fora visit from a team of Japanese athletes. The correspondence with Japan was being conducted by New South Wales. In September last a newspaper report stated that New South Wales, had decided to abandon the tour, but it was only in response, to a cabled inquiry from New Zealand that this was actually confirmed by New South Wales, the secretary in his letter stating:. "For many reasons it seems that the wisdom of a Japanese tour is doubtful."

AWAITING ADVICE FROM N.S.W.

"In response to a further inquiry," said Mr. McCormick, "we were advised in September that New South Wales was contemplating inviting an American team. Nothing further on this matter was received by us for nearly three months. In the meantime-^-on September 25—we cabled Japan asking for information as to /-what. athletes might be available for a tour of NewZealand in the event of our deciding to issue an invitation. This was merely a request for information, not an invitation. No reply was received from Japan uniil December 17. "Now, on December 1 we had received a cable from New South Wales advising that they were about to.invite Foy Draper and George Mackey from America, and requiring an answer from us on the same day. We cabled on the same day, agreeing to co-operate, as up to that time we had not been able to get any reply from Japan. . . NEGOTIATIONS WITH JAPAN. "It was on December VI that a cable arrived from Japan advising that Murakoso and Togami. .were available. We were still without any. information from New South Wales regarding the American tour, beyond what was contained in their cable of December 1, and so we decided to delay replying to Japan. We cabled New South Wales on December 23 asking for details of the American tour, and finally, during the Christmas holidays, advice was received that the American, tour was cancelled. "Then, and then only, did we reply to Japan inviting Murakoso and Togami. At the same time we advised New South Wales that we were inviting the Japanese in view of the American tour being abandoned. On February 2 we gave New South Wales as full details as we possessed concerning those athletes and their itinerary, and inviting them to communicate with us if they desired . any appearances in New South Wales. Last Monday I ivI ceived a reply from the secretary of the New South Wales Association discussing the possibility of appearances in New South Wales after the conclusion of the New Zealand tour and asking what terms our association would desire—whether .we would demand a fixed sum or a share of the 'gate.'"