A.A. UNION OF AUSTRALASIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 79

A.A. UNION OF AUSTRALASIA.

IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL. The bi-annual conference and meeting of the full Board of Control of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia was opened on- Thursday night week, at the Albion Hotel, Hobart. Mr R. Ooombes (N.S.W.), president of the union, took the chair. The following delegates were present: Messrs E. S. Marks (N.S.W.), J. & Green and H. Henderson (N.Z.), R. H. Oroll and W. Ferguson (Victoria), G. Crawford and D. J. O'Obnnell (Queensland), E. A. Brooke and A. 8.-Howell (Tasmania). The South Australian Association wired, regretting- its non-representation. — International Alliances. — A discussion lasting nearly two hours took place in reference to the ■ correspondence between the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States of America and the Australasian Union in reference to an alliance between the two bodies with regard to uniform rules for the government of the sport, uniform definition of an amateur, and recognition of each other's disqualifications and suspensions. Finally the following resolution was moved by Mr J. E. Green (N.Z.) and seconded by Mr G. Crawford (Q-) i — "That this conference is in favour of an alliance with America and France on the lines suggested, and that the executive officers .of the union be requested to draft an agreement on the lines suggested by the A.A.U. of the United States of America, and submit to eaoh member of the union for their consideration and report." The motion was carried unanimously. The executive officers were also instructed to open up negotiations with the English A.A.A., Canadian A. A. A., and South African A. A. A. for similar alliances. — Olympian Games (London). — The matter of representation at the Olympian Games to be held in London next July in connection with the exhibition was considered by the conference. It was unanimously carried — "The Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia hereby pledgee its heartiest support to the Olympic Games to be held in London in 1908." It was decided — "That the union could not finance a team to England, but it is willing to accredit certain well-known affiliated amateurs suggested by the officials of associations who purpose, at their own erpeoae. or «4, the exjoeaee of any affiliated

association, visiting London to take part in the games." — Records Adopted. — The following records were adopted: — 440 yds flat running. —N. C. Barker (N.S.W.), 48£ sec, November 11, 1905, Sydney. 440 yds hurdles, 10 nights, 3ft 6in.—J. L. Davis (Vie), 58 l-ssec, November 12, 1906, Melbourne C.C. Ground (provisionally accepted, subject to the approval of the executive). — Suggested Visit to South Africa. — The board then gave consideration to a letter from a prominent official of the Natal Amateur Athletic Association, suggesting the visit of an Australasian team of athletes to South Africa. He had pointed out that meetings at Durban, Joharuieeburg, and Capetown would probably bring in large profits. ft wag decided to shelve further consideration til' the next conference, the time not now being ripe for such a visit, as a team from South Africt was going to the Olympian Games. — The Reinstatement Rules. — Consideration was given to the reinstatement rules, especially suoh as bore on the reinstatement of individuals who were affiliated amateurs during a portion of their athletic careers. The executive officers, referring to thi3 rule, stated that it was not perfectly clear to them. They wanted an. interpretation, showing them clearly where they stood and what their powers were. They pointed out that at the last conference the re-instate-ment rules were altered so as to read: — " That no person who has at any time been a member of any amateur athletio club (school clubs not included), and has knowingly and wilfully forfeited hie amateur status after such event, shall be eligible for reinstatement till after a period of three years from the date of his last professional performance, and no such reinstatement shall come into force until confirmed by the union. This, they claimed, did not show whether the executive should finally review the cases, or only confirm the action. Several delegates spoke strongly on the advisableness of doing all that could be done to keep out the professional element, which would bring in the betting evil, and the discussion resolved itself into a •question of whether, if the rule were allowed to eland, an opening might not be given. Mr Crawford (Queensland) said that he had received apecifio directions from his association in regard to the rule of reinstatement. He wanted to see the rule stand as it was. He pointed out that there had been a big professional boom in Queensland at one time, and that a number of athletes had gone over to the professional ranks. They thought it desirable that the men should be made to stand down for three years, and then that their applications should be received, and each case tried on its merits. There was no fear, he contended, of the men again deserting. He moved that the rule be allowed to bland as printed. Jflr Green (New Zealand) moved an amendment that after the word " performance" the words: " All such applications, together wth full particulars, must be referred to the executive officers, who shall have power to confirm or reject such applications," be inserted in place of the words now standing. The amendment was carried by five votes to two, the chairman and secretary not voting. It was decided that all applications 'or reinstatement sent to the- full board be dealt with by the new executive. —Standard Certificates. — Consideration was then given as to what should be done in reference to standard certificates (ordered to be given by the full board at its last meeting) obtained at the last Australasian championships. No standards were officially taken by the New South Wales A.A.A., which controlled the meeting, and that association was unable to supply the necessary information. It was decided that the union could not see its way to grant standard certificates, as no standard officials were appointed. The rules were altered governing the throwing of the hammer. The words in Rule 11, "crossing the scratch line shall count as a try," were deleted. In place of them there was inserted the following condition:—"That a fair throw shall be where no part of tne person or competitor touches the top of the guard-board, the circles, or the ground outside the circles; a throw declared foul or the letting go of the nammer in an attempt shall be counted as a trial throw, without result." It was resolved, in order to bring the Australasian conditions into line with English, French, and American conditions, to substitute a 7ft circle for the 9ft circle in the throwing of the hammer, and also the 561b weight. In future the executive will consist of the president, an hon. secretary, »nd an hon. treasurer, or three men, with the headquarters in Sydney. The following resolution was carried: —"That, after a full and careful consideration of the facts in the case of the application for an Australasian record for a mile walk of H. Kerr, submitted by the New Zealand A.A.A., this board ie of opinion that they cannot grant the same." It was decided to refer the question submitted by the New Zealand A. A. A. —viz., that the following words be added to the amateur definition, section 1, clause H: —"Holding any paid appointment in any professional club or association," to the executive, who were given full power to take a mail vote on the question, or to draft a resolution on the whole question, to be submitted to ihe different aseociations for their approval. In racing laws it was decided to add the following to pole vault: —"Climbing the pole shall be considered a foul jump." The st-a-rtdar-ds for future Australasian championships were altered in two events —viz., hrlf mite flat from 2inin 2scc to 2min lsec, and throwing the 161b hammer from 110 yds to 123 yds. Other resolutions carried were: —"That no claims for Australasian or world's records (as per rule 1 Australasian Records) shall be recognised by any individual association unless passed by the Amateur Athletic Union of Australasia." "That the executive draft an amendment to the clause dealing with residential qualification, and submit same to the different associations for their consideration and report." " That, in the opinion of this conference, it is desirable that an all-round championship of Australasia be instituted." The New Zealand Association is to draw up a scheme in regard to the last-named.