PROMISING MOVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 23

PROMISING MOVE

TOO LATE THIS YEAR

NORTH ISLAND TITLES

It is rather unfortunate that the question of North Island championships, brought forward by the Hawke's Bay Centre, was not put before the various centres earlier in the season, as there is a strong possibility that many will view the matter from the angle that it is too late to do anything, whereas the proposal is intended to be permanent and not for this season only, as may be thought in some quarters.

A similar movement -was mooted some years ago, but did not receive much favour mainly because of the fact that it appeared to aim at creating dissension as between the North and South Islands. However, that is.not the'intention of the sponsors of the present proposition, which rather is an attempt to provide additional competition for our leading performers and at ■the same time afford many centres ah opportunity of seeing the best swimmers in action on more frequent occasions than at present. The main difficulty appears to be that of obtaining sufficient representation from the centres, chiefly owin» to the time required in attending North i Island championships after, in most . cases, attending the national championships. The suggestion of the Hawke's Bay centre provides, however, that the former 'Should be held immediately following the latter, and this would reduce to a. minimum any time-involved. Additionally, the North Island championships would be limited to two days at the most, so that the time factor is not as serious an obstacle, as might be imagined.' The. chief objection to the suggestion looks to be one of expense, but here again; the proposal provides that profits from the North Island championships are to be divided on a pro rata'-basis according to representation, so that even the financial aspect may not be as big a stumbling block as it appears at first glance. ■ • ' There is: a possibility that Island championships may have a deterrent effect on the national championships, and this seems to be the main point on which opinions will differ. Ths ■Auckland. Centre have put forward a recommendation that would remove most of this objection /by suggesting that, the national meeting" should be confined to. the four main towns, leaving the remaining centres to conduct Island championships. There will, of course, be objections to this, but viewed from the wide angle. it does appear as if the suggestion of Auckland would be in the best interests of the sport. It certainly lends itself to a full and impartial consideration by all centres. '