SPORTS PROTECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8263, 28 October 1912, Page 4

SPORTS PROTECTION

NEW ZEALAND LEAGUE,

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL.

A meeting of the board of control of the Sports Protection League was held on Saturday morning. Sir George Clifford (president) occupied the chair, and there wore also present Hon. Dr Collins. Meesrs 0. P. Skerrett, C. W. Truigham, and tho secretary (Mr Paape). Messrs I. G. Duncan and J. H. B. Coates were unavoidably absent.

The Hon. E. Mitchelson, Auckland district president, forwarded a full statement of affairs in that district.— The secretary was directed to comply with certain requirements. Voluminous reports and letters were received from various branches and dealt with. ORGANISATION WORK. The secretary reported that since last meeting of the board the work of organisation has been continued in the Auckland, Otago, and Southland districts, Seventy-three branches of the league have been established in all the principal centres in the Dominion, with me exception of the following towns in this province: Masterton, heatherston, Paiuatua, Otaki, Carterton, and Woodville, where meetings will be held in the immediate future. It is just on twelve months since the work of organisation was undertaken, and during that period ho had travelled 18,048 miles—--14,011 by rail, 3870 by boat, and 168 by coach. The special committee (Messrs C, P. Skorrett, K.C., C, W. Tringhom, and A, it. Whyte; appointed for the purpose of altering the constitution have now completed their work, and their report would be presented to the meeting. The principal alterations and additions defined the policy of the league and the procedure to be taken at elections. The membership was divided into three classes: (a) Members contributing 2s fid and _ receiving a badge; (b) members contributing Is, not receiving a badge, but entitled to all the privileges, including the right to vote; (o) honorary members, by whom no subscription shall be payable, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. The board of control to consist of seven members in lieu of five by making provision for a vice-president and the hon. treasurer to be ex officio a member. All qnet-' tions such os are not provided for by the rules are to be referred to and dealt with by the board, who may refer the question to any branch or branches with authority to act. Provision is made for the annual nomination and election of the board of control by each branch having the right to nominate and vote in lieu of districts at present provided, and which is abolished. Vacancies on the board may bo filled by the remaining members until the next election. Rules and regulations are also provided for the branches. In connection with the work of organisation the inaugural accounts for halls, advertising, etc., have been rendered to the district centres. In order to liquidate these accounts the branches at_ Auckland, Dunedin, and Invercargill will each require the sum of £SO, and these were recommended for payment. Now that the work of organisation is practically complete the secretary suggested that a conference representative of the branches be held at Wellington to define a definite course of action for the

future operations of the league. If the suggestion meets with the approval of the board it would facilitate matters if a committee were set up to consider ways and means and make the necessary arrangements. It is interesting to note that since the inauguration of the league the extremist section of the community have become temporarily inactive. It would thus seem that, considering their activity during recent years, the league has fully justified its existence. It will be necessary, however, to maintain the interest of our members through the branches through, out the Dominion by enlarging the area and scope of the organisation. The report was received, and the matter of holding a conference was approved, but further consideration was deferred until next meeting. The rules were considered at length. Further minor alterations were made, and it was decided that they bo sent to the branches for consideration and approval. OLYMPIC GAMES. The Hon. - Dr Collins brought up a proposal with regard to the Qlympio Games to be hold at Berlin in 1916. He thought the league should advocate the suggestion of British representation m lieu of the various parts of the Empire competing separately as at present. He expressed the opinion that the league should confer with the Olympic committee, with a view to deciding on a definite basis of action. The suggestion met with the favorable approval of the board, and it was decided to request that the president of the Olympia committee, Mr A. A. Marryatt, confer with the Hon. Dr Collins on the subject. Accounts amounting to £7O 12» 24 were passed for payment.