ATHLETICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1937, Page 6

ATHLETICS.

SYDNEY COMPLAINT

REPLY BY N.Z ASSOCIATION

(Per Press Association —Copyright).

WELLINGTON, February 17. A reply to charges alleged to have been made by the treasurer, of ‘the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association was; made by Mr H. McCormick, secretary o fthe New. Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, when the cablegram was brought', to his notice. - \ :•

“Many months ago,” said Mr.McCbrTiiick, “joint negotiations were* being earned out by New South Wales'-..and New Zealand for a visit from a team ot Japanese athletes. The correspondence with Japan was being conducted by New South Wales. -In September last a newspaper report said 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, saying that for many reasons it seemed that the wisdom of the Japanese tour was doubtful. - - ;.'C “In response to a further inquiry, said Mr McCormick, “we were advised in September that New South Wales was contemplating inviting an American team. Nothing further on this matter was received by us fop nearly three months. In the meantime, on September 25, we cabled Japan asking for information about . what athletes might be 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 we received a cablegram from New South Males advising that they were about to invite Foy Draper and George Mackey from {America, and required an answer from us on the- same day,” he continued. “We cabled on the same day, agreeing to co-operate, as up to that time we had not been able to get any reply from Japan. It was on December 17 that a .cablegram, arrived from Japan advising that M.urakoso and Togami were available. . j “Wq were still without any infortnation from New South Wales about the American tour, beyond what was -contained in their cablegram; on Decentber 1, and so we decided to delay in replying to Japan. ; cabled .New South Wales'on December 23,;'• a§k|fiff for details of the American finally, during the Christmas holidays, advice was received that the. American tour was cancelled . . ' ; : : -->5

“Then, and then only, did we reply to Japan, inviting Murakoso and-Jo-g'ami. At the same time, we advised v New South Wales that we were mv iting the Japanese, in. view of the Amer rican tour being abandonecL, On February 2, we gave New South Wales as full details as we possessed about those athletes and their itinerary, and. inviting them to communicate with n? if they desired any. appearances jn^New South Wales. Last Monday, I received a reply from the secretary, of the' New South Wales Association, discussing the possibility of appearances ;in South Weles after the Neiv , Zealand tour, and asking what terms oqr.a ßß - 0 " elation would desire, and whether wo would demand a fixed sum or a share of the gate,” concluded Mr McCormick. ; -v nv : .