SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10538, 13 August 1912, Page 1

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

REPLY TO REV R. S. GRAY. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, August 12. In an interview with a reporter, the general secretary of tho New Zealand Sports Protection League (Mr Paape) made some remarks in reply to the statements of tlie Rev R. S. Gray. Mr Paape said that the resolution that had been passed by various branches throughout the dominion did not, as Mr Gray stated, ask for "the repeal of the Gaming Act of last year." The reverend gentleman referred to the resolutions cf the Hawera and Timaru branches of the League—"That the support of the branch be given to any proposed legislation providing for a reasonable extension of the present number of racing days, etc." The question of repealing existing legislation only occurred in the imagination of their extremist opponents. As tlie whole of Mr Gray's remarks were based on this inaccuracy, there was no occasion, Mr Paape said, to take notice of the torrent _of abuse that he had chosen to use against the League. "We must," said Mr Paape, "anticipate opposition from that section of the community who, from conscientious motives or on economical grounds, object to amusement as demoralising or extravagant. It we had not active opponents, there would be no necessity to liavo an organisatio-n for defence. The League's attitude is defensive. Its main concern is to prevent interfering with its members and generally to band together the fairminded men against the prejudiced. For some years past, a small section of the community has been skating round tho outside edge of many of our sport 3 and pastimes. Gradually thes9 extremists, by persistent agitation, have been influencing legislation, and have impressed those in authority that they are far more important than they really are. On the other hand, the lovers and followers of sport are constitutionally averse to meddling with tho affairs of other people. We now have sixty-four branches, which have been established in as many towns throughout the dominion. Our membership is approaching 100.000, and before the end of the current year we anticipate that it will exceed that number. Once those in authority who have extremist tendencies recognise that they have to face an enthusiastic opposition banded together in a powerful organisation, composed of every rank and class in the communitv, it will not be difficult to conceive the influence the League is going to exercise in tha near future." [Per Press Association.] _ NELSON,. Aucrust 12. The executive committee of the Nelson branch of tho Sports Protection League passed resolutions approving of legislation providing for any reasonable extension of the present number of racing days and xhe publication of dividends.