ETHICS IN SPORT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 7

ETHICS IN SPORT.

TO THE EDITOR SlE,—As a reader of your paper, and being interested in piping and dancing, 1 have taken an interest in the contributions to your journal under the above heading. I understand the whole outburst of wrath has emanated from the fact that something that was alleged to be in the nature of a “ ring in ” occurred at the recent dancing events at the Outran, sports The secretary of that body has quite recently given the answer to all this literary outburst. I’ have noticed, as a reader, that whilst one ■le of the argu.ment has been pinned down to facts, tinother side has been side-tracking in a very clever manner. As an illustration, I ■ .m mend the effusion by “ Cavete ” as a masterpiece in trying to shuffle and remain anonymous-like the ostrich with his head in the, sand. He praises Mr Stuart's out spoken - protests, but, on perusing Mt Stuart’s letter, I fail to discern the least trace of any protest contained in them Mr Stuart I do not know, but perhaps “Cavete" does; and it appears as though it were a sort of helping hand to Mi Stuart’s rather weak rejoinder. Analysing the letter by “Cavette,” howevei, 1 cannot discover. how it helps at all. be cause it totally evades the whole crux of the argument. It is a veritable voice in the wilderness, so to speak. Mention is made of “ pot-hunting ’’ parents in a national nort. Probably “Cavete" intends that remark to apply to an event at Outram. But I do not think he did Rambling on (his own experience, 1 un derstand), he makes some coarse insinuations anent judges fleeing from the field ol spoliation with the victors, presumably in a conveyance resembling a motor ear. There was an instance of that quite recently where a judge fled from the field in a motor car belonging to a victor’s father. Perhaps “ Cavete ” does not know anything about that. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones is an old adage and a very trite one ’ Dead Sea Fruit” is also apt. I agree that the cause of piping and dancing is very like that mythical' edible, and the trouble is not very far to seek, I have made inquiries in some quarters for information and have been rewarded abund a fitly Whilst my informants have been almost without exception very reticent at first, yet a little questioning has elicited the same answer from competitors and alike. They are emphatic in their opinion that the whole Piping and Dancing Association needs overhaulng beginning with the Dominion Council for preference. I was astounded to learn that that body has been located in Dunedin ever since the association was formed—some 18 years ago. Further inquiries revealed the fact that the other chief centres of the Dominion did not want to have it located in their midst . because of the methods adopted by the officials who, so to speak, “ run the show.” And, if any one differs, or dares to differ, from the powers that be, that person is not wanted on the council, and steps are taken to have him removed. Little wonder, then that other centres do not want to house the Dominion Council, for the very foundation of that body seems to be shaky The Exhibition Pipe Band Contest was quoted to me as an example, and I was shown n circular relating to that contest signed by the officials of the Dominion Council trying to “ damn ” that event—a fine example to set. to be sure. Oh, yes, “ good in everything,” as “Vavete" say—good while the going is good—i.e„ when one’s cronies pander and fawn on one; but jnce they start to use their own brains—- " good night.” I was told, further, that the association would have been approached with a view to running the Exhibition Pipe Band Contest, but for the presence of one man in the association. With the final part of the letter by ‘‘ Cavete ” I ogree, and I would commend it to the earnest consideration of the Otago Centro and the Dominion Council in particular. I have good reason to believe, however, that the letter from “Cavete” emanates from the Dominion Council, which is run by the above-men-tioned “one man.” —I am, etc., Loohiel.