NEW ZEALAND SPORTS' PROTECTION LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 15174, 3 May 1913, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND SPORTS' PROTECTION LEAGUE

OTAGO BRANCH. . annual meeting cf the above was bwd m Mr hj. S. Wilson’s Board Boom last night being presrictl over by the Eon. Sir George HLeau. M.L.C. 9 The annual report stated, inter alia:—“l liare pleasure m presenting the first annual report for the Otago branch of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, and in doiurr so it is only fair to state that since its im ception (November 24. 1911) nothing of importance has transpired to warrant the interferenco of the local branch. 1 It is obvious tnau the mere existence of the league, coupled with the acclaim with which it has been welcom «h has already disclosed that ihe general public is in agreement with its objects, and that an onen disavowal of it would be unpopular. As the league is “ 13 required stability of onranisarion n will be necessary to adopt an attitude, of careful watchfulness of proceedings and sturdy opposition, irrespective of party, to ill those ■who are not whole-heartedly with us in the condrict of pure sport. Though sport and recreation are_ not the whole object ot life the man who ignores them :’s as much out of tocus with the realities of human life as the man who regards them as the chief object oi existence. The recreations and -ports ot a people have an important bearing on the national life, and it bos its part, and that no smad one, in the formation of national cliaractcr. ‘'Too much sport” Is a cry that is sometimes sr-an in the Press and too much sport of a kind is harmful to a province: but moderation in good, clean sport cannot be productive of anything but good, and the more our league devotes its tune and influence to assist in such the more it will justify its existence, and be a power in our country. What is wanted is a leadim? to_ whom all appeals for assistance may ccnfaently he made, and our league should encourage the seeking of its help and assistby all branches of sport that it may aid in bringing about any desired improvement. Die controversy of last year, and the work of the Citizens’ Committee in connection with the providing cf more playgrounds for our youths will ho remembered, and the thanks of our league are duo to that committee for their work in this direction. Good outdoor sport hj one of the healthiest pastimes that our youth can indulge in, and ir the league can assist in some way in providing facilities for our voung men and women, great would he rho'benefit to afl interested. The proriding of more suitable places where our youths can participate in healthy exercise would bring the league more in touch with many of our citizens, and in more ways than one result ir increased enthusiasm in pure sport. With its large and increasing membership, which includes men who are closely connected with many branches of outdoor sport, could our league not do something to encourage purity of sport by bringing our influence to bear to raise the. moral standard? Tn conclusion, I may say that it behoves every true sport to become a member, thereby assisting the league in its efforts, for which the constitution of the Board of Control provides for a membership fe" of one sril'ing.”

In moving tbe adoption of the report, the Chapman said be was slid to see a good attendance on a wet night in tbe interests of sport. It was wonderful bow the movement had taken on ard the influence it had had already. Everyone must exercise himself to see that their manly sport was not broken into by those people who did not consider they should have sport—by those who thought all people should be good, and no orvtxl nucule wort, snorts. He thought that people who indulged in manly sport had just as good a chance of going to “tbe gold p’orc” as many of those who refrained, and perhaps more so. He thought that sport was as clean in New Zealand as anywhere else. As regards the particular sport he had been connected with for a good many years—(applause)—he believed it was as fine a sport and as well conducted as any. Ho/ adjured them to keep the interests of true sport in the forefront of their attention, and to endeavor to protect from antagonistic influences all the man-making athletic pursuits of this country. (Applause.) Mr Loudon, seconding, said that he agreed that sport in this country was as pur© as anywhere in the world. He thought, too, that good, clean, manly sport was a vorv guod thing. In terms of Newbolt’s poem all should be taught to “ play up, play up, and play the game.” —Office-bearers— Patron. Downie Stewart, Esq. (Mayor-elect of Dunedin); president, tire Hon. Sir George MTean; vice-presidents to be nominated by various sporting and athletic bodies; committee—Messrs J. L. Martin, P. Miller, P. Began, J. London. J. L. Hobbs. A hearty vote or thanks was accorded Sir George M'T.ean for braving the unpnopilious night to preside at the meeting.