EMPIRE GAMES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 August 1928, Page 5

EMPIRE GAMES

PROPOSAL DISCUSSED

DISSATISFACTION WITH OLYMPIAD

MEETING OF BRITISH'MANAGERS

United PreßS Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright United Service.

LONDON, 6th August

An important development aiming at the inauguration of periodical Empire games, to be held in Britain by the diflerent dominions, lias resulted from a meeting of managers and oflieials of the British teams. The meeting lasted live hours. and- was characterised by the strongest criticism of the arrangements and control of the present Olympiad. The Canadian representatives particularly instanced the interpretation of some rules which were entirely opposed to British ideals, and also complained that favoured nations, including the United States, breaking the rules were only cautioned, whereas Canadian were disqualified. The arena was filled with officials of the more favoured nations and Dutch Olympic officials. The New Zealand manager, Mr Amos, pointed out the necessity for allowing Dominion Olympic competitors a higherscale of expenses, enabling bigger teams to be sent.

Speakers also complained that the Amsterdam games were too much commercialised by the Dutch committee. As the meeting proceeded it was clear that opinion was crystallising in favour of holding Empire games every four years, starting in 1930; also that if Empire games conflicted with the Olympiad it might be advisable to withdraw from the Olympiad. It was even suo-crested that an Empire team would be the best method of entering the ..Olympiad . The meeting eventually appointed Messrs Barclay (British athletic amateur official), Duff, Doig, Amos, and Eobihson (Canadian) to draw up an agenda- and convene a meeting in London on 14th August to discuss and inaugurate machinery to carry out the ideal of Empire eames. The meeting will consist of dominion managers and representatives -of British athletic,' swimming, rowing, cycling, boxing, and wrestling organisations. ,