OLYMPIC GAMES

Press, Volume L, Issue 14884, 26 January 1914, Page 7

OLYMPIC GAMES

AUSTRALASIAN REPRESENTATION. (By Cable.—Prees Association.— Copyright.) MELBOURNE, January 24. A conference of amateur sportsmen, representative of Australia and New Zealand, convened by Mr F. W. Coombes, was held to consider tho formation of a national governing body to control nominations and all matters connected with the Olympic events in -which Australia and New Zealand are concerned. A motion was moved that the organisation be called the Olympic Federation of Australia and New Zealand. Mr Bridges, on behalf of New Zealand, announced that he had been ininstructed by the Dominion Olympic Council to oppose the formation of an Australasian governing body, in -which New Zealand would be only a component part. He argued that tho national spirit of New Zealand opposed delegating-to an outside body tho management of any matters concerning the Dominion. Tho motion was carried by eight votes to two, the minority comprising tho New Zealand delegates. The latter then withdrew from the conference. The constitution framed by the conference provides for a governing council, composed of two delegates representing the affiliated Olympic Councils, and one representative elected by tho subscribers in each State or the Dominion to deal with public funds and to defray the expenses of Australasian competitors at the Olympiad.