BOWLERS' STATUS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 20

BOWLERS' STATUS

THE EMFIRE GAMES DOMINION REPRESENTATION BEST PLAYERS REQUIRED "Now that bowling has been accepted as an integral part of the British Empire Games, we should make an effort to find out if bowlers are subject to the same conditions as those which govern other sports," said Mr. A. E. Whitten. of Auckland, at the annual meeting of the council of the New Zealand Bowling Association held yesterday. He said that the position was indefinite at present, the main points under consideration being whether, as accepted members of the team, the bowlers should have their expenses paid, also whether they would be under the control of the general manager of tho Games team.

. The question of accommodation was another point at issue. "You cannot expect middle-aged bowlers to be housed under - the same conditions as young athletes," said the speaker. The fact that the New Zealand players at the last Games in Sydney had competed with such outstanding- success and had established themselves among the best bowlers in the world made it imperative, in Mr. Whitten's opinion, that the authorities controlling the game in the Dominion should make every effort to uphold this reputation and should make certain that the best representation was secured. As the next Games would be held in Canada, Mr. Whitten did not think that it would be feasible to leave the question of the Dominion's representation to individual enterprise, as had been done for the tournaments in Australia. Players of the right typo and those capable of adapting themselves to conditions foreign to them should be chosen.

Mr. Wiiitten's views were -well received by the delegates, and it was decided to refer the matter to the council's executive for consideration. Mr. Whitten suggested that, in order to clarify the position as regards tho standing of bowlers at the Games, an inquiry should be sent to the Empire Games Federation in London.

GRANTING OF BADGES '! - PRECEDENT ESTABLISHED .BELATED HONOUR CONFERRED Precedent was established in Dominion bowling yesterday, when tho council of the New Zealand Bowling Association, at its antoual meeting, agreed to grant players who took part in ' the representative match between New Zealand and Australia at Wellington in January, 1929, the privilege of wearing a badge on the pocket oil their blazers with the wording "N.Z. Rep., 1929." In conferring the honour, the point was made that the players representing New Zealand on that occasion had been definitely selected as distinctive from other New Zealand combinations, the personnel of which were dependent on the players available at the time.

The subject was raised by the Wellington delegate, Mr. S. M. Stone, who said that the suggestion had originally come /from one of the players who Had taken part in the match against Australia. "I do not see why permission should not be granted," said Mr. Stone. "They are not asking the conncil to buy the badges. All they ask is permission to wear them." The council agreed that the names of the players concerned should be noted and that, after a sample had been approved, -the badges would be distributed officially.