THE NEW ZEALAND SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1260, 11 June 1914, Page 42

THE NEW ZEALAND SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

ANNUAL REPORT WELLINGTON BRANCH. Evidence is to be found on all sides of the excellent work being accomplished throughout the Dominion by the New Zealand Sports Protection League, and the following report, to be presented by Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C. (president Wellington branch), on behalf of the Committee of the Wellington Branch, to members at the annual meeting gives a good idea of the aims and objects of the League, and the useful work that is being accomplished through its agency:— The primary objects of the League have so often been set forth, and are now so well understood by the public in general that it is unnecessary again at this annual meeting of the branch to bring them prominently under notice. It will be sufficient to say that the League in Wellington and generally throughout the Dominion has not been called upon to show any great activity in combating the views of that extreme section of the community who were so aggressive at the time the League came into existence. We must, however, anticipate opposition from many who from various motives, object to harmless outdoor amusements as demoralising or extravagant. That we believe we have numerous opponents, and that these opponents would become aggressive if there was no organisation in existence to combat their attempts to unduly interfere with reasonable recreation and sport, are the reasons why we think that it is necessary to maintain a League for the defence of outdoor sports. It has, however, been found that with the organisation complete throughout the Dominion, and every class of sport linked up into one solid body, the League can extend itself into a field of usefulness not altogether anticipated in its early stages. As a body to express the disabilities of individual clubs or particular classes of sport, it has been able to advocate the cause of individual sections with much more force and success than separate action was able to produce. Several movements of this character have been assisted in various parts of the Dominion, and particularly in Wellington the League has been able to successfully help in obtaining a substantial remission of rates on those open playing areas in the city, which have been acquired and formed at considerable expense by private enterprise. We have now pleasure in being able to report that a resolution has been passed by which the whole of the general rate on these areas has been remitted—a concession to the various sports bodies interested of about £'3oo per annum. We hope that the example will be followed by local authorities in other centres. The League has also been able to identify itself with another movement of quite a different character. At a period when it appeared to be nobody’s business to prevent the beautiful property at Day’s Bay from going under the auctioneer’s hammer, and being cut up into building sites, the League was able to give very material assistance in promoting a deputation to the Prime Minister. After the Prime Minister had promised to place the sum of £4OOO on the Estimates towards the acquisition of the property, the office of the League proved an ideal place from which to conduct the campaign to find the balance of the money required, which afterwards followed with such marked success: and the secretary devoted a great

deal of his time and energy to produce this gratifying result. GENERAL ELECTION.

During the ensuing year the General Election is to take place, and it is one of the functions of the (Branch to watch the trend of events and to report to the Board of Control if it should be deemed to be necessary to take an active part in connection with any of the contests within the city or suburbs. For the guidance of members it might be mentioned that the political policy as laid down up to the present provides that the electorates should be classified as follows: — (a) Those in which both candidates are favourable to the League’s policy, and in which, consequently, the League must be absolutely impartial. (b) Those in which the candidates have distinctly diverse views as to our policy, and in which therefore the League would exercise its whole influence in favour of its supporter against its opponent. It will probably be necessary to submit questions to candidates to ascertain their views on subjects affecting the League, and in order that there may be some uniformity of action throughout the Dominion the Board of Control will draft and submit for the consideration of the branch questions which may be suitable for the purpose. FINANCE. The Wellington Branch is fortunate in having its affairs transacted at the head office, and the expenses of management amount to very little. The financial transactions are therefore very small, and members’ subscriptions more than cover what is required for current expenses. The present officers retire by effluxion of time, but are eligible for reelection: —President, C. P. Skerrett, Esq., K.C.; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. W. Tringham, F J. Courtney, M. F. Luckie; committee, Messrs. A. Marryatt, J. Fuller, jun., W. J. Organ, S. Brown and Dr. Gilmer. Your committee have nominated the following gentlemen for their respective positions on the Board of Control: —'President, Sir George Clifford, Bart.; chairman, C. P. Skerrett, Esq., K.C.; hon. treasurer, lan G. Duncan, Esq.; J. H. B. Coates, Esq., Hon. Dr. Collins, M.L.C., C. W. Tringham, Esq. In conclusion, your Committee desires to urge the usefulness of the League to all persons interested in outdoor sports. One of the objects of the League is to advocate and maintain their legitimate interests, and the League is entitled to ask that all such persons should join the League, and by increasing its membership add to its effectiveness in protecting the general interests of outdoor sports.— For the Committee of the Wellington Branch, (Signed) C. P. Skerrett, President.