N.Z. WILL BE AT THE NEXT OLYMPIC GAMES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17906, 23 July 1926, Page 1

N.Z. WILL BE AT THE NEXT OLYMPIC GAMES.

NATIONAL campaign to BE LAUNCHED EARLY. (Special to the “ Star. ") WELLINGTON, July 23. In the past, preparations for the representation of New Zealand at the Olympic Games have been hurried and incomplete. Last night, representatives of all the principal sports resolved to launch a national campaign in preparation for the next Olympiad in. 1928. Mr F. Wilton presided. Mr J. W. Heenan submitted a motion having for its aim the adequate representation of New Zealand in view of past creditable performances and the value of the movement from the international intercourse standpoint. He said anything that would tend to give all the athletic nations of the world an ideal in sportsman hip was worth striving for. The great friendship between Britain and America was greatly due to the Olympic Games. The best way New Zealand could further that feeling throughout the world was to send her best athletes to the Olympic Games. The motion was carried. Mr Bayfield said one thing they had to contend with was the difficulty of making the districts realise that the movement was a national one, Mr C. G. Camp, secretary of the old Olympic Council, hoped, that, as the outcome of the meeting, a live, progressive body would be formed. Mr S. S. Dean, New Zealand Rugby Union, said he felt they were under a moral obligation to see that New Zealand was adequately represented at the Games, in view of the manner in which the All Blacks were received in the Old Country. He suggested that part of the gate of at least one match in the year should be earmarked for the Olympic Funds. He moved: “That a thoroughly representative Olympic Games Association will, as has been proved in England, be a potent factor in promoting in New Zealand feelings of friendship between the various sports, and mutual interest in the welfare of all. ” The motion was carried.

Mr Heenan moved that the council should be induced to alter its constitution in such a way as to allow individual sportsmen to become honorary members. It should not stop short, he said, of forty or fifty thousand sportsmen in’New Zealand. He pointed out that the New Zealand Swimming Association was setting aside affiliation fees for Olympic purposes, a step which could well be followed by other organisations. The ■ Boxing Association had promised its support. The motion was carried. It was made a recommendation to the Olympic Council that all sporting associations be asked to allocate part of the proceeds of one meeting a year.

Mr Wilton, on behalf of the Athletic Association, said the bhlance of the Rose Fund, estimated at £SOO, would be. available for the expenses of the next New Zealand Olympic team.