CONTROL OF MARCHING

Wanganui Chronicle, 14 February 1947, Page 6

CONTROL OF MARCHING

STATUS OF N.Z. UNION IS DEFENDED HEADQUARTERS IN WANGANUI “The event in Wanganui has no relation whatever to inter-house activities. The New Zealand Marching Union is made up of associations of girls’ marching teams, having no specified allegiance to any particular business houses, although some of the teams are sponsored by firms. In a few instances the members of a team are actually employees of one firm. The majority, however, are club teams.” So said the secretary of the New Zealand Marching Union (Mr. C. T. Young, Wanganui) yesterday, when his attention was drawn to a report from Hawke’s Bav that Wanganui had deliberately broken away from the New Zealand Marching Association.- The report from Hawke’s Bay said that a disagreement in the constitution of rules for the competition arose some years ago. Originally Wanganui moved for the formation of a national organisation to be known as the New Zealand Marching and Recreational Association. The conference (in August, 1945) was attended by delegates from various centres. Wanganui opposed certain phases of the proposed constitution and, it is claimed, immediately broke away and formed another organisation known as the New Zealand Marching Union. Although the Government, through the Minister of Internal Affairs, granted official recognition to the Recreational and Marching Association, the union set up by Wanganui has continued to operate.

“TRESPASSING ON OTHER SPORTS” “Wanganui did not ‘immediately break away and form another organisation,’ ” said Mr. Young. “Wanganui delegate-*? were not prepared to commit their association to the institution proposed at that Wellington meeting. Subseauently, other association! asked Wanganui to draft a constitution fo- a body to administer and control marching, as distinct from athletics, basketball, baseball and other sports. The New Zealand Marching Union considers that the Amateur Athletic Association, the Basketball Association and the Baseball Association are quite capable of conducting their respective sperts and that the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association trespasses in their particular fields. “The New Zealand Marching Union has not previously deemed it necessary to refer to the' New Zealand Marching and Recreational Association in the columns of the Press,” Mr. Young added, “but the propaganda from Hastings call’s for some notice to be taken. “First, the New Zealand Marching Union is not interested in being granted official recognition bv the Government. through the Minister of Internal Affairs. Nor does it require or seek monetary grants such as has been received by the New Zealand Marchiner and Recreation Association. “Secondly, the Australian Girls’ ■ Marching Association was inspired by Wanganui and is affiliated with the New'Zealand Marching Union. Their first chamoionship was held in October and advice was received by cable that Treloar’s. the winning team, would be coming to New Zealand. The New Zealand and Australian organisations have jointly financed the tour. FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP “Thirdly, Wanganui staged the first New Zealand marching championship in 1944. Among the contestants was a team from Timaru. At that meeting the Wanganui Association propagated the idea of a national body to control the sport, principally in regard to dates for various fixtures. In 1945 the second New Zealand championship was held in Wanganui, a team from South Canterbury winning, the shield for the highest aggregate of nojnts. “Last year the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association staged a contest in Timaru and claimed that if was the first New Zealand marching championship. Sixteen teams entered. One of the entries accepted was from Masterton, but when the team reached Timaru it was not allowed to compete. Thus was born the Wairarapa Girls’ Marching Association. OFFICIAL AUSTRALASIAN TITLE “The ‘open’ championship in Wanganui last year attracted 32 entries. This year 42 teams will compete at Wanganui for the New Zealand title. The winners will meet the Australian champions for the Australasian championship. “The New Zealand Marching Union is of the opinion that, quite apart from the patronage o F New Zealand Marching and Recreation Association by the Minister of Internal Affairs, courtesy demands some recognition of the visiting Australian team. Requests have been received from Australian Newsreel ar.d Australian Radio for coverage of the event in Wanganui. ‘‘The international trophy to be competed for this week-end is donated by Mr. E. L. Healey (Wanganui), president of the New Zealand Marching Union.”