PREMIER FAVOURS CH’CH AS VENUE OF EMPIRE GAMES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22731, 1 September 1948, Page 4

PREMIER FAVOURS CH’CH AS VENUE OF EMPIRE GAMES

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. Although the decision on the location of the Empire Games rested with the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association which meets today, he thought they should, if possible, be held in Christchurch as part of the Canterbury _ province’s centennial celebrations, said the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, last night. . He was replying to a deputation of 12 members of Parliament from Auckland City and province who had waited on him asking that the games be allotted to Auckland.

Mr. Fraser cold the deputation he had said quite definitely that if facilities could reasonably be provided in Christchurch the games should go there as part of che centennial celebrations.

Had Auckland been celebrating its centennial, then he would have favoured its claims. He did not know whether it would be wrong for a swimming bath to be built in Christchurch. It would have to be weighed up with the importance of the occasion to that city. The Government would have to accept responsibility for any decision to use steel and cement. "It Is unfortunate that we came here when your mind is already made up." said Mr. T. E. Skinner, replying to Mr. Fraser. Mr. Skinner suggested it might be possible to split the events up and hold tlie rowing an.d swimming in Auckland.

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