PACIFIC GAMES

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28270, 7 May 1957, Page 16

PACIFIC GAMES

Melbourne Olympic Official’s Plan (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) MELBOURNE, May 5. An Australian Olympic official has a plan for “Pacific Games” to be held at Melbourne in 1959. New Zealand, Russia, and Canada would be among the nations invited to compete. The official, Mr Edgar Tanner, honorary secretary of the Australian Olympic Federation, will present his plan to a conference of National Olympic committees at Evian, France, next month. Mr Tanner said last night that Melbourne had sporting facilities of international standard and must aim to maintain the reputation it built up during the 1956 Olympic Games. “It’s certain we can put the games on,” he said. “The only trouble is, when.” He said probably the best time would be before the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960. A date suitable to all countries would be difficult, he said. But financial problems could be overcome. “They’ve had Mediterranean, European and Pan-American Games, so why not Pacific Games?” he asked. “We’ve proved we do it. Think of all the countries—New Zealand, Malaya, Thailand, the two Chinas, Japan, Canada, Russia, Paraguay, Chile, Fiji and many others. “I’m sure we’ll get support.”