VISIT OF JAPANESE ATHLETES

Evening Star, Issue 22576, 18 February 1937, Page 5

VISIT OF JAPANESE ATHLETES

ALLEGED "SECRECY" AN AUSTRALIAN COMPLAINT HEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION'S REPLY [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 17. A complete reply to the charges alleged to have been made by the treasurer of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association of “ secrecy ” in arranging the visit of the Japanese athletes was made by Mr H. M‘Cormick, secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, when the text of the complaint was brought to his notice. “ Many months ago,” Mr M’Connick said, “ joint negotiations were being carried out by New South Wales ami New Zealand for a visit from a team of Japanese athletes, the correspondence with Japan 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 the Japanese tour is doubtful.’

“In response to further inquiry,” Mr M'Cormick continued, “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 he available for a tour of New Zealand 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 until December 17. Now, on December 1, wo received a cablegram from New South Wales advising that they were about to invite Foy Draper and George Mackay 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, wo had not been able to get any reply from Japan, It was on December 17 that a cable arrived from Japan advising that Murakoso and Tqgami were available. We were still without any information from New South Wales regarding the American tour beyond what was contained in its cablegram 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 Amercian 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 received 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.” [A cablegram published yesterday from Sydney said:—Severe criticism of the New Zealand amateur athletic officials over the “ secrecy ” displayed in arranging a visit by Murakoso and Togami was made in a broadcast talk by Mr R. P. Heathwood, treasurer of the Australian Amateur Athletic Union. Mr Heathwood said there had been a breach of etiquette towards the New South Wales Association, in view of the negotiations for a visit by the Americans—Owens, Johnston, Draper, Cunningham, and others. The only intimation of a Japanese visit came when they arrived at Sydney. He hoped the New Zealand authorities would consent to Sydney appearances when the athletes were returning at the end of March.]