PRIZE-FIGHTING METHODS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1932, Page 3

PRIZE-FIGHTING METHODS

METHODIST DISAPPROVAL. DEFENCE BY A MINISTER. The customary dignified calm which characterises sittings of Methodist conferences was temporarily disturbed at Perth, Western Australia, on February 29, when a discussion, marked by considerable humour and occasional heat, arose on a resolution: “That this conference urges the Government to place a ban upon the legalised brutality of prize-fighting because of numerous deaths resulting therefrom and because the primitive blood lust aroused by such contests is a standing shame to any Christian community.” The Rev. Mr. Nye said they might as well pass a resolution condemning cricket because some men were killed by cricket balls.

The Rev. Mr. Finch: Is Mr. Nye supporting prize-fighting? Mr. Nye said he objected to the expression “legalised brutality and numerous deaths resulting therefrom.” “One would think boxers were being killed in large numbers,” he said. “I was taught to box when I was 15 and carried my gloves around with me until I was 30. “My opinion after having known many boxers and seen a' good deal of fighting is that there is much more made of the brutality of pi-ize-fighting than can be borne out by facts. Surely we are not going to condemn a sport which calls forth courage and endurance more than any other, and teaches men to stand up to punishment.” In reply, Mr. Lyons, who moved the resolution, said Mr. Nye’s eloquence would have been better employed on a worthier subject. He himself knew something of boxing, but boxing was not prize-fighting. “To see a man staggering around the ring nearly out of his senses and subject to thfr fcattery of his opponent —is that spo«M e ’ he asked. The motion was carried by 27 votes io 16. . _ . ’ .