PURITY IN SPORT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6311, 11 September 1907, Page 7

PURITY IN SPORT

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE, A conference of leading officials of the sports organisations of New Zealand was held yesterday afternoon in the Onslow Borough Council Chambers. Ihe delegatee present wore: —-Messrs O. Bison (New Zealand Rugby b mon), T. Buncan and Gr. tv. \\ oods INew Zealand Athletic Union), P. B. Murray ißeaguo of New Zealand Wheelmen), Thornton and B. Vincent (New Zealand Cricket Council). Budu-ig (Aew Zealand Swimming Association), Vv. Colley (New Zealand Boxing Council), E. Nordon (NewZealand Hockey Association). J. BGreen (New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association), and Goldie (Now Zealand Lnwn ‘tennis Association). Mr Geeige Dixon was voted to the chair. Mr J. E. Ureen was appointed secretary to the conference. Mr J. E. Green apologised tor the abEence of Mr \V. G. Atack, president of th* New Zealand Boxing Council, who was the originator of . the movement leading to the conference. 'X”tie conference has boon called to consider a circular issued to the governing bodies of ail sports by the i\ew Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, calling attention to several matiei© in which difficulty is experienced, and suggesting remedies. As the delegate from tho New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, Mr J. E. Green was asked to explain the. circular, and to point out its chief features. Mr Green said that the chief object which the association had in view was the obtaining of legislation lor the protection of sports bodies. In Germany and Japan the State had taken on itself the duty of pJiysioaJjy training its youth, but in New Zealand, as in other British communities, this important feature of the nation's education was left purely to a few private enthusiasts, who were willing to give their time and their talents to the development of the physique of the younger generation. ' These enthusiasts had formed themselves into associations, which were, however, in no way recognised by the Legislature, except they might be registered as societies. Termed as they were, every sports body could be broken up at any time by the action of an individual who chose to set up an " opposition ** association, as had already been done in the case of swimming. Other instances of the insecurity of the present associations were also given. Then, private promoters might take a sport in hand in order to make money for themselves and the bookmakers, the ‘'proprietary" sports now being held in Auckland being instanced. Legislation was needed to set existing associations on a firm basis. Another thing needed was a board of advice, with delegates from all sports, to advise tho Cabinet as to the desirability of recognising the claims of any new body applying for registration. .Legislation of a drastic kind was also needed to stamp out the gambling evil. It might be thought that sport was a trivial matter for Parliament to d6al with, but if there were no sport in New Zealand it would be a serious thing for the State. It was our manly sports which produced our soldiers. Mr Green advocated the establishment of a board of appeal, to which any man disqualified Tty one body could refer his case for, final judgment. As a preliminary motion, Mr E. Nordon moved, ‘‘That, in the opinion of this meeting, the time is opportune for the formation of a federation of sports bodies/' Mr Nordon said the betting element which was creeping into the sport of New Zoaland was causing a decline which must not be tolerated. Another subject for regret was the increase of professionalism. The speaker asserted that, all bodies which did not enter a protest against the encroachment of professionalism were assisting to deal the death-blow to clean sport. . The motion was seconded by Mr W,oods, and carried unanimously. Un proceeding to further business, the Conference found that- there were a large number of subjects of importance which would have to be taken on© at a time. It was decided, therefore, that a committee, consisting of Messrs Green, Nordon, Woods, and Vincent, be set up to draw up a, draft constitution of the proposed., Sports federation for discussion to-day. ■ Several delegates spoke on matters which they thought should come up later for discussion, and the meeting wqs then adjourned till 2 p.m. to-day. Un behalf of the New Zealand Boxing Council, Mr Coffey extended an invitation to the delegates to attend the boxing championship.