CONTROL OF ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20538, 12 April 1930, Page 12

CONTROL OF ATHLETICS.

TROUBLES IN AUCKLAND

COUNCIL DELEGATES' VIEWS.

DISPUTE WITH CYCLISTS

A conference between three delegates from tho executive council of tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, Mr. H. S. Austad, Mr. L. A. Tracy and Mr. E. G. Guy, and tho Auckland Centre of the association, was held last evening. Thero were present 30 delegates from tho component clubs of tho centre. Mr. Austad. who presided, appealed to all delegates to express their views in a frank manner. Thero would bo no doubt that the Auckland Centre was in many respects lagging behind the other centres of tho association. Thero ha(J beon an entire lack of co-operation between tho clubs of the centro and tho main authority. Moreover, tho centre had apparently made no sustained effort to infuse enthusiasm into the members of tho various clubs and to gain their goodwill. Particularly outstanding was the fact that no provincial championships had been held. Mr. W. J. Hindman said the reason no provincial championships had been held was that tho centro lacked tho support of the cyclists. Meetings had no chance of being successful unless cycle events were included on tho programme. Tt. was for this reason that the Papatoetoe Club had allowed piembers of the Manukau Cycling Club to compete at a recent meeting. Ho regretted that tho association had taken exception to this action. It was impossible for tho club to exist without the assistance of cyclists. Seeking an Agreement. Mr. Austad paid tho position was that the Manukau Cycling Club had expressed dissatisfaction with tho control exorcised liy tho Auckland Centre of tho association, and had formed its own union. Further, it liad circularised tho cycling clubs of other centres, and had endeavoured to rouse general dissatisfaction with the control of the association with the object of forming a Dominion-wide organisation, which would take the control of cycling into its own hands. The association considered that there was only room for ono controlling organisation as far as amateur athletics in New Zealand were concerned, arid it could riot possibly allow one of its centres to co-operate actively with what was virtually a rival organisation.

Mr. Austad stated that it was proposed to meet delegates • from the Mannkau Cycling Club this afternoon in order to reuch some conciliatory agreement. He outlined tho proposals which would bo submitted to the club. The suggestion was that the Auckland Centre should arrange for a cycling Mib-committeo which would consist of delegates from the various cycling clubs. This had proved a satisfactory arrangement in other centres. Lack o! Public Support.

The question was raised as to what steps tho association would adopt if the negotiations should prove unsuccessful. Mr. Guy said the association would still refuse to recognise the, existence of any independent cycling union. Mr. \\ : . J. Davidson, president of the Auckland Centre, said that amateur athletics in Auckland were not on tho saiiie footing as in other centres. The marked lack of public support was a particularly deplorable feature. He considered tho centro had not received adequate support from the association. Tho cycling dispute had placed the centro under a serious disability. He hoped that matters would soon be satisfactorily settled and assured tho delegates of his support. A formal motion assuring the association delegates of tho full approval and support of tho Auckland Centre in reference to tho proposals to be submitted to tho Manukau Cycling Club was carried unanimously. It was decided that two delegates from the centre, Mr. W. J. Ilindman and Mr. T. Henry, should be present at. the conference with tho Manukau Cycling Club. Hopes of Success. Various other matters affecting tiio welfare of the centre were discussed and solutions of several problems were suggested. It, was resolved to provide open events at evening meetings, which should be ( unfilled to club events for club members only; to point out to clubs (ho desirability of functioning constitutionally; and to hold the championships of tho centre boforo the New Zealand championships, so that members of country clubs would have an opportunity of competing in (ho Dominion events. At tho conclusion of tho conference Mr. Davidson thanked tho delegates for tho valuable suggestions they had offered, lie was convinced that tho conference would result in a more friendly co-operation between tho Auckland Centro and tho association as a whole.