HELP FROM ART UNION

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 148, 25 June 1938, Page 11

HELP FROM ART UNION

CENTENNIAL SPORTS

REQUEST TO MINISTER

The duty that devolved on sports bodies of fending for themselves and not relying purely on outside assistance in connection with arrangements for the Exhibition period was pointed out by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to a deputation which waited upon him yesterday from the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition Co., Ltd. The members of the deputation were Mr. Charles Todd, deputy chairman of the board of directors of the company, Colonel H. E. Avery, and Mr. C. D. A. Highet, and they communicated to the Minister the suggestion made by Mr. Todd at a meeting of sports bodies called early this month by the Exhibition Company that permission be sought to hold an art union to assist some of the financially weaker organisations to conduct national championships which would bring overseas teams to the Dominion at the Exhibition period.

After hearing the representations, the Minister said that he desired the matter to be discussed at the next meeting of the Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation in July. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Messrs. S. S. Dean and J. N. Millard, representing Rugby interests. The Exhibition would provide sporting organisations with an opportunity to show what they could accomplish just as the various courts would show visitors what the country had and could accomplish, said Mr. Todd. He emphasised that the Minister had, in his inaugural address on the aims and objects of the Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation, stressed the need for sports bodies to act and not wait for the council to do something. It was the aim of sports bodies throughout the Dominion to conduct their various championships during the Centenary on a bigger scale than usual, arrange tours, and so on. All this would mean raising funds, and the object of the deputation in asking for an art union was not so much to assist strong organisations, but those in a less flourishing condition.

Mr. Todd commented on the success of the art union for a similar purpose during the Dunedin Exhibition. The surplus, after providing for the necessary sports organisation, had been devoted to improvements to the grounds at Logan Park. A similar procedure could be adopted with the present suggestion, the surplus to be devoted to the heeds of sport or put into the exchequer of the council. ' '

EVENTS ON A LARGE SCALE. : Mr. Highet explained the attitude of those sporting bodies which received comparatively little gate money, referring in particular to aquatics. It was hoped during 1940 to stage events on a larger scale and to lay a good foundation for the future. To do this it would be essential to receive financial assistance, mainly to help small clubs with transport expenses.

Colonel Avery pointed out that the combined meeting of sports bodies had been thoroughly representative. All intended to stage their national championships at Wellington during the Centennial. Many small clubs, however; would be unable to finance the venture, and it was for the purpose mainly of securing assistance for them that the request had been placed before the Minister. The art union could also assist national sporting organisations during the Centennial, and any surplus could be devoted to whatever was considered in the best interests of sport from a national point of view. DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL. Mr. Parry said his main concern was the national aspect of the matter. .His trip to Australia had convinced him that New Zealand would have to make a thoroughly worthy display during the Centennial. He pointed out that the Dominion's Centennial was something national, not sectional, as the New South Wales sesquicentenary, and the Government had to bear in mind always this national aspect and hot deal with the matter geographically. The Government itself would be involved in large expenditure for the Centennial, and was most anxious that every section of the country should feel it had done its part and had received recognition. It was essential, therefore, .that there should be unity among national organisations as to the expenditure of money. The council looked to sports bodies for their wholehearted- co-operation, but he felt it would be advisable first for the council to discuss the proposal. He assured the deputation that the council was anxious to assist sports bodies to play their part in the Centennial, but a duty also devolved on them of fending for themselves and not relying purely on outside assistance.