WRESTLERS VISITING NEW ZEALAND

Southland Times, Issue 24003, 19 December 1939, Page 6

WRESTLERS VISITING NEW ZEALAND

NECESSITY OF INSISTENCE ON RETURN FARES (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 18. The necessity for professional wrestlers visiting New Zealand • under contract to independent promoters insisting upon their return fares being paid was emphasized by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry). He issued a warning that wrestlers entering into contracts with promoters other than the Dominion Wrestling Union should ask for their keep in New Zealand as well as their fares out of the country. The Minister said that since the close of the wrestling season four wrestlers came to New Zealand under contract to an independent promoter.• The tour, he added, was a financial .failure, and he was approached on behalf of two of the men to assist them to leave the country. The Government was unable to grant the request. “I wish to make it clear,” the Minister continued, “that the tour under notice was not sponsored by the Dominion Wrestling Union. Within the last year or two there have been other independent promoting efforts which have also resulted in wrestlers being stranded. I am in a position to state that the union in the past as well as in the present case, had acted in a most generous sporting spirit. Obviously, however, it cannot be expected to take charge of any wrestlers left stranded by rival promoters.”