BOXING DISPUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17015, 13 April 1923, Page 5

BOXING DISPUTE.

ASSOCIATION V. COUNCIL. (Special to the “Star.”) DUNEDIN, April 12. At a meeting of ihe committee of the Otago Boxing Association to-night the secretary reported that he had sent a letter to the New Zealand Council on April 3, stating that, according to a legal opinion, the disqualification of the Otago Association was irregular, and that' if the council took the correct steps under the ruiea t-o state its I charges, the association would be willing to file a defence, and, if necessary, send a delegation to Christchurch. According to Press report*, this letter was ordered to lie on the table, the subject matter in it being dealt with from a newspaper report. The chairman (Mr H. H. S. White) said surely they were entitled to a reply of some kind. The association did not know where it stood now. The action of the secretary in send ing the letter was endorsed. The president of the association (Mr T. M. Gillies) made q lengthy state ment reviewing the position. Their solicitor had advised that under the rules the disqualification was ultra rires. The question was now one for the Box j ing Associations throughout the Do minion, and their co-operation should be enlisted with a view to securing a I conference in Wellington, the Otago Association agreeing to abide by any decision then arrived at. Mr Gillies quoted correspondence between himself and the president of the Wellington Association (Mr R. W. M’Villv), who had promised to bring the question of a conference before his association. The chairman said he was surprised, at the unbusinesslike and unsportsmanlike attitude adopted by the council. He thought it was an Jnsult on the part of the council to refuse to receive a communication from the Otago Association. He was satisfied that if a con- | ference were held, in Wellington, and the matter put fully before the delegates, they would come to the conclusion that the‘referee’s decision was just. Mr B. S. Irwin said tho rule on the subject was plain, and the council’s attitude wls absurd. He supported the suggestion to hold a conference in Wellington, and expressed the opinion that if all the associations were represented at the conference the result would be eminently satisfactory. He would move •—“ That in view of the I fact that the Wellington Boxing Association hatj suggested t-o the council +he holding of a conference of all affiliated associations at Wellington, the Otago Boxing Association approves of the proposal, and we take steps; to bring the matter before the affiliated associations to support the Wellington Association’s proposal, and we agree to abide by any decision come to by such j conference.” The motion was s©oond- ; ed by Mr Siedeberg. In support of the motion, Mr Gillies said he felt that the association was tipholding the rules. They felt that they were acting legally in the matter. and. if the council had flouted their opinions, it had not done what it should have done as the supreme body. They could not allow the present position to continue any longer than was absolutely necessary. The motion was carried.

Mr Irwin mentioned that M’Quarrie had instructed him to apply for an injunction against the M’Cleary-Fitzsim-moris contest at Timaru. but in view of the fact that one of the contestants had injured his hand, the fight had not taken place, and no action had been taken.

It was decided that Messrs Gillies and Divers should represent the association m the event of a conference being held in Wellington. ?t was decided to send a letter to M.r Alex. Dey congratulating him on his election to the New Zealand Boxing Council.