FAMOUS ATHLETE

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 7

FAMOUS ATHLETE

LOVELOCK’S VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND

GUEST OF GOVERNMENT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, September 18. The pending visit to the Dominion of J. E. Lovelock, the New Zealand Olympic champion, was the subject of comment by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in an interview this evening. Mr Savage said he was extremely glad that arrangements had been made for Lovelock to revisit the Dominion before the end of the year as New Zealanders would be given an opportunity to show their pride in the achievements of one of their most famous fellow countrymen. Lovelock himself had signified his willingness to assist young athletes to the best of his ability. “Although New Zealanders have a fine reputation on the world’s playing fields we must admit that we do not produce Lovelocks every day,” the Prime Minister said. “This is all the more reason why the Government should do everything in its power to make the visit a success. The present arrangements are that Lovelock will compete in a race in the United States before leaving for New Zealand. He will be among his own people for several weeks, during which time he will be the guest of the Government. Arrangements for his itinerary and his entertainment will be made by the Department of Internal Affairs, and in addition to meeting various athletic authorities he will give a series of broadcast addresses which should be of great assistance to young athletes. As far as the Government is concerned we shall do our best to honour both the man and his performances in a fitting manner.”