SPORTS CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, 12 September 1907, Page 6

SPORTS CONFERENCE

SOME IMPORTANT DECISIONS. PURITY TO BE MAINTAINED, A FEDERATION TO BE FORMED. The conference of delegates from the governing sports bodies of the State was continued yesterday afternoon in the Onslow Borough Council Chambers. Mr Geo. Dixon (New Zealand Rugby Union) occupied the chair. In addition to the bodies represented at the first meeting on Tuesday, the New Zealand Football Association and the New Zealand Rowing Association nominated delegates. The committee appointed at the first meeting to draw up a draft constitution of the Federation, which it had been decided to form, presented -a report, which, after discussion, was adopted. CONSTITUTION. The constitution of the Federation as decided on was as follows:—’‘This sociation shall be known as the New Zealand Sports Federation, and shall consist of athletic bodies, (associations, unions, and societies, formed for the purpose of governing their respective branches of sport." - OBJECTS OF FEDERATION. The objects of federation were stated as follows: —(a) The protection and conservation of the interests of each affiliated body, and maintenance of the existing rights and privileges of such affiliated body; (b) the mutual recognition of each body's suspensions, disqualifications, registrations, etc.; (o) the constitution of an executive committee to be eiecteu annually as hereinafter provided. RULES ADOPTED. The following rules for the Federation were agreed upon:— (1) The Federation shall meet annually in September, at such place as may be decided upon by the previous moating of the Federation. (2) The officers of the Federation sha’ consist of a president, vice-president , honorary secretary, and treasurer, who shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Federation, such officers to be chosen from those entitled to be present at such annual meeting. (3) Each affiliated body shall be entL to two representatives. (4) The annual subscription payable by each affiliated body shall bo two guineas, which shall be due and payable on or before January Ist of each year. (5) Any individual affiliated body desiring to have a disqualification' made general shall within fourteen days _ol the imx>o9ition of such disqualification make application to the executive committee for that purpose, and shall, in so doing, forward full particulars thereof and the evidence on which the decision was arrived at, and upon receipt of sueapplication the executive committee shall forthwith adjudicate upon the same. (6) Any contingency not provided for in the foregoing rules may be dealt with by the executive council pending consideration by the annual meeting of the Federation. , „ . . . » (7) The executive shall consist of four members, with the honorary secretary, who shall elect their own chairman. (8) The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Federation, and hear and adjudicate upon all appeals, and their decisions shall be binding upon all affiliated bodies. (9) A special general meeting of the Federation may be convened at any time bv the executive, on the request of at least three affiliated bodies, such meeting to be held within twenty-one days of the giving of notice . (10) No sports body outside those now recognised will be allowed to affiliate except *by permission of the delegates ; at an annual meeting. These rules are to be submitted by delegates to all governing sports bodies for consideration, after which a second conference will be held in Christchurch during Carnival Week, in November, to make final arrangements for the formation of the Federation. THE CHRISTCHURCH MEETING.

On the motion of Mr Thornton, it was decided that invitations to send delegates to the nest conference should be sent to the following bodies, which will be recognised as having the right to affiliate to the Federation ;—N ew Zealand Rugby Football Union, New Zealand Cricket Council, Now Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, New Zealand Rowing Association, League of New Zealand Wheelmen, Now Zealand Boxing Council, New Zealand Swimming Association. New Zealand Hookey Association, New Zealand Athletic Union, New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, New Zealand Football Association, and New Zealand Golf Council. Invitations will also be sent to the bodies governing Australian football and lacrosse in the, State, if such are in existence. HEADQUARTERS OF THE FEDERATION. It was moved by Mr Vincent (New Zealand Crickpt Council), and seconded by Mr Coffey (New Zealand Boxing Council), that the headquarters of the Federation he in Wellington. An amendment, moved by. Mr Woods (New Zealand Amateur Athletic Union), and seconded by Mr , Green (New Zealand Amateur. Athletic Association), that the headquarters he in Christchurch, was carried on the casting vote of the chairman. THE GAMBLING PROBLEM. Mr G. W. Woods (New Zealand Ath- ■ letio Union) moved—" That thin meeting is strongly in favour of the suppression of betting at sports meetings, either on private or public grounds." The motion was seconded by Mr J. E. Green (New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association) and carried unanimously. Mr Woods then moved a further motion :—“That the Government be asked to provide in the present Gaming Bill a clause for the suppression of betting at sports meetings, whether held on public or private grounds, or to introduce a Bill similar to that, at present in force in New South Wales. The motion was seconded by Mr Green. Mr W. Coffey (New Zealand Boxing Council) said that be was going to oppose the motion to the utmost of his power. Did Mr Woods seriously propose to prevent a few friends from making a private bet at any sports meeting? The speaker did not agree with all the nonsense which he said was being circulated. about the spread of gambling among onr young men, by people who knew absolutely nothing of what they were talking. He especially disagreed with the clause in the motion which referred to betting on private grounds. This was trespassing on the rights of individuals, an action to which he could bo no party. When be was listening to the previous speakers be bad almost thought that he was at a meeting of the Council of Churches, not at a meting of sportsmen. The motion was also opposed by Mr Thornton (New Zealand Cricket Council). He had a great deal of sympathy with Mr Woods, but ho thought that gentleman’s methods of gaining his desired end qnite wrong. Not until every other means had been exhausted would he consent to ask for legislation. The power which the federation would have should be sufficient to prevent betting, for if r man even attended a meeting at which bookmakers were present he ; would borevented from taking part, as player o> «nectator, in every sport under the jurisdiction of the federation. Several other delegates spoke against the motion, and Mr Woods having renlied, the matter was put to the vote the motion being lost by 0 votes to 5 The delegates voted as follows :—Fo-. Messrs Green, Nordon, Woods, Murray. - , ud .Duncan; against. Messrs Dixon, mirumton, Vincent, Goldie, Ludwig, and Coffey. Mr "Woods moved a further motion that a copy of the anti-betting resolution, which was carried, should be submitted to the Government, but as it met with considerable opposition’, ho withdrew it