KINSHIP OF SPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 3

KINSHIP OF SPORT

OLYMPIC REPRESENTATIVE’S VISIT TRADE RELATIONS WITH SWEDEN (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 14. A civic reception was to-day accorded to Mr J. S. Edstrom, of Sweden, president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation and a member of the executive of the council of the International Olympic Committee, who is visiting the Dominion, accompanied by Mrs Edstrom. , . w _ The, Minister of Education, Mr P. Fraser, who represented the Government, said there were no barriers to sport, and there should be none to mutual co-ojiera-tion and goodwill between the nations Referring to the influene'e of the Olympic Games on international brotherhood, the Minister asked in this connection whether it would not be more sensible if Signor Mussolini and Emperor Sellassie met and, for example, took part in a long jump or a high jump or some other form of sport to settle the question of boundaries. It would be a more sensible way of settling their differences, he declared, than that which was happening at the present time. Other speakers included Mr M'Villy. president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and Mr M'Cormick, representing the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire (James Association and kindred sports bodies. Mr Edstrom, in the course of his remarks. said that a country should not be discouraged by setbacks, because they gave an impetus to do better. The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association and the New Zealand Olympic and Empire Games Association tendered a luncheon to Mr Edstrom. The gathering, which was representative of nearly all forms of sport, was attended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W, E. Parry, who proposed the toast of “The Visitor."

Mr Parry said he had been particularly requested by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, to assure Mr Edstrom of his friendship and goodwill. Any international organisation 'that reflected goodwill and friendship should be encouraged. He believed that the International Olympic Association and the Athletic Association breathed that spirit of goodwill. Mr Edstrom had come to New Zealand not only representing international sport, but he came representing a country which had a liberal spending power, a country whose people had the spending power, to purchase goods produced in New Zealand. His country was governed by a Government similar to the Government in New Zealand, and it was the ambition of the New Zealand Government to see that the same ideal conditions prevailed in this country. Mr Edstrom, in reply, asked Mr Parry to convey to the Prime Minister his heartfelt thanks for the greetings he had extended. It waa essential for young people to get their physical bodies in proper shape. He referred to the fact that he was chairman of a trade delegation that was recently sent by the Swedisii Government to Sodth Africa, and said that while lie was not in New Zealand in an official capacity he thought he was safe in saying that the Government of his country would look forward to an extended hand from the Government of this country. He did think that trade relations between the two countries could be improved. Sweden wae the greatest buyer of fruit in Europe, and it was in this direction particularly that he considered much of mutual benefit might be accomplished. The Swedish worker must have his supply of fresh fruit. Conditions were so good there that he could well afford it, and Mr Edstrom- said he w r as of the opinion that New Zealand could benefit materially from this demand.