BETTER STATUS FOR BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 9

BETTER STATUS FOR BOXING

DEVELOPMENT OF APPRECIATION > DISCUSSION BY N.Z. CONFERENCE The opinion that the public of today was educated to appreciate “slugging” instead of boxing was expressed by Mr G. H. Sceats (Gisborne) in urging the annual meeting of the New Zealand Boxing Association yesterday to take steps to inform the public of the principles of scientific boxing and selfdefence, and of the bright side of boxing as a sport. Nowadays, Mr Sceats said, it was useless to match two boxers, no matter how good they might be. From the point of view of the public, at least one “slugger” was necessary, and preferably two. The public then thought highly of the fight, and failed to appreciate good boxing. In New Zealand, and throughout many parts of the world, boxing played an important part in the education of boys at high schools, and in one particular

case reports on boxing were culled from overseas, where the sport was perhaps exploited by unscrupulous managers and others. Notice was being taken of these articles by parents who as a result said the sport was dangerous. What the public was not informed of was the efficient control of boxing in New Zealand. Mr Sceats also criticized the attitude of representatives of another sport who came from overseas. A part of their stock in trade, he said, was apparently a desire to cripple boxing. He did not think they should take it lying down, as they had done in the past. Mr H. H. Sterling said that no recommendation was necessary to spur the council into action. The secretary was constantly in touch with representatives of other sports and everything was being done to keep the sport of boxing on a high plane. The council’s powers were limited, as the local associations were the (real promoters of the sport. ; A suggestion that movie films and charts would be useful in training boxers how to hit was made by Mr A. R. Harris (Christchurch). The following recommendation from the Gisborne association was adopted unanimously: “That the council make permanent arrangements for the regular distribution to the general public of the Dominion of approved articles on the principles of scientific boxing and self-defence, boxing as an aid to physical and mental development, the efficient'and strict control of hoxing in New Zealand, and the bright side of boxing as a sport.” Mr Earle Wimsett moved the following remit from the Manawatu Association: — “The maximum amount that may be paid to any boxer by way of expenses in respect of a particular contest shall not exceed £lO, unless special circumstances merit a larger sum being paid, and this larger payment is agreed to by permit obtained from the council, no expenses shall be paid to any boxer in respect of a contest held in the town in which he resides.” “We don’t want to have a Dutch auction by the different associations increasing the amount of nominal expenses voted to boxers,” Mr Wimsett said. “We must control the sport and not be controlled by the boxers.” Mr N. McGorlick (Southland) suggested a limit of £l5 so that delay would be saved in applying to the council for small increases over £lO. The remit was lost, but the following remit from Otago, dealing with the same question, was adopted. “The maximum amount that may be paid to any boxer by way of expenses in respect of a particular contest shall not exceed £l5; no expenses shall be paid to any boxer in respect of a contest held in the town in which he resides.”