DEFENCE OF SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1183, 19 July 1911, Page 7

DEFENCE OF SPORT.

A REPRESENTATIVE RALLY. RESISTING THE OPPRESSOR. A LEAGUE TO BE FORMED. The formation of a New Zealand Sports Protection. League was considered by a mooting of delegates, representing sports organisations throughout New Zealand, held in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. Mr. H. D. Bell prosided. Representatives of tho press were not admitted, but tho following official report of the proceedings was supplied In addition to a number of delegates from the various New Zealand Racing and Trotting Clubs, tho following New Zealand sports organisations wero represented Ashburtoii Football Union, lnangahua Football Union, Marlborough Rugby Union, Gisbomo Rugby Union, Pirate Football Club, Wellington Cricket Association, Wellington Hockey Association, Wellington Golf Club, Dannevirko Lawn Tennis Club, New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, Napier Athletic Club, Otago Amateur Athietio Association, Ashburton Amateur Athletic Club, New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, Kuinara Axemen's Carnival Committee, Kamo Axemen's Carnival Committee,' Hokitika Sports Committee, Pioneer Athletic Club (Christchureh), 'l'oiaga Bay, Athletic Club. Manawatu Golf Club, Pakuranga Hunt Club, Rangitikei Hunt Club, Bircliwood Hunt Club, EgmontWanganui Hunt Club, Hawke's Bay Boxing Association, Northern Boxing Association (Auckland), Parnell Boxing Club (Auckland), Wellington Boxing Af.soc.ia-. tion, Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Wellington Metropolitan Crtursing Club, Great Northern Coursing Club, Auckland, West Coast Coursing Club (Reefton), ltorowhenua A. and P. Association, Royal Life Saving Society (Christchurck), Auckland Billiards Association, Star Boating Club (Wellington), J. F. MacMahou (NewTheatre), John Fuller, junr. (Fuller and Son). Mr. J. B. Norris (Christchurch) read apologies for absence from representatives of various sports organisations throughout New Zealand. Tho Chairman's Address.

The chairman (Mr. H. D. Bell) stated that tho meeting had been called by gentlemen who had been engaged throughout the Dominion in endeavouring to form an association for the protection of sport. One object aimed at was to prevent tho different associations of sport being squeezed out altogether. To some-, of them it seemed that tno pressure had arrived at bursting point. For'years past certain members of tho community, who wore entitled to as much respect as thoso present, and, in their own opinion, to a 1 good deal more, had been skating round the outside edge of every sports club and athletio pastime, trying to circumscribe tho action of those who were engaged in them; trying to confino them to days and hours which seemed suitable to tho oppressor. If tho friends of sport did not resist, New Zealand was going to be a pretty dull place, and its inhabitants were going to be fairly dull dogs. (Hear, hear.) Tho representatives of tho various sports Itodies must try to confino them-' 6olves to tho protection of sport aud to that object alonf. Tho realm of politics must'bo avoided except in so far as an issue might bo forced upon them with regard to somo form of sport or Athletio exorcise. Tho chief object of the meeting was to unite, throughout tho Dominion, tho men who wished to havo ■ tho realm and area of sport not confined further. When organisation had lxeu accomplished, and when they had real power and influence then they might seek to enlarge that area and scope. The present object was to prevent any further intrusion upon, or interference with, their liberty iu pursuing their pleasures and pastimes, as seemed fit to them, but under proper and honest regulations. (Applause.) That was what hod been done 111 England by tho Sports League, and it had bocomc a powerful association. The immediate object of their meeting was to establish such nil organisation of sensible men, throughout New Zealand, and, if possible, to establish an executive which would command tho respect of those who joined tho League.

The First Knell. If those present agreed with him, and would follow tho lines which ho had indicated, ho thought -that evening might sound the first knell of the very strong and very well-meaning, body of citizens who had been against them, and who had not, until the present tirno. met with any organised resistance. (Applause.) Mr. R. A. Armstrong (Auckland Mutual Sports Protection Association) moved tho following resolution:— "That this conference of New Zealand sports organisations, realising tho necessity for safeguarding our national sports and pastimes resolves that a New Zealand Snorts Protection Association , be formed, with branches through-. out the Dominion, and that a central board of control in the city of Wellington, consisting of Messrs. C. I'. Skerrett, Iv.C., J. Coates, 11. D. Bell, K.C., and the Hon. Dr. Collins, M.L.C, bo set up to draft a constitution." A Serious Position. On moving tho resolution, Mr. Arm' strong said (hat tho organisation bo 1 represented was formed twelve months ago at a conference representative of- practically every branch of sport in the community. The serious position of sport at the present tima could hardly bo overestimated. Sportsmen had, carelcssly, porhaps, allowed tho enemy to break through their outer defcnce, but they must, by immediate, and sound organisation, prevent any further encroachments. Touching on "so-called profanations of tho Sabbath," amongst which the Wellington Presbytery had included yachting, golf, fishing, and shooting, ho asked whether visiting friends on Sunday, and digging, in the garden, which were also included by the Presbytery, woro very harmful pastimes. The proceedings of the AntiKmoking League, now in existence, should bo watched with caution, as past experience had taught that nei?u.uivo methods would soon be abandoned. It was now an easy thing to get extreme legislation passed. Tho speaker then outlined a policy of organisation, strongly urging united action, and tho immediate establishment of local sports protection, associations in every district throughout' Not Zealand. . ~ Mr. E. L. Chaft'ey (president, of tho New Zealand Amateur Association), in seconding the resolution, said lie represented an organisation numbering somo threo thousand or four thousand members. On their behalf bo might fearlessly state that they wore prepared, to assist the league in every way in their power. Tho following representatives also_ sui>ported tho resolution-.—Messrs. W. O. Pearson (Wellington Hockey Association), W. J. Goro (Forbury Park Trotting Club), Alex Potter (North Otago Jockey Club), C. J. Ward (Port Nicholson Yacht Club), W. J. Organ (Wellington Cricket R. D. D. M'Loan (Napier athletic clubs), C. S. Hovel (Canterbury Park Trotting Club), T. Shields (Royal Life-Saving Society, Christchurcli), J. Kennedv and J. Clarke, (New Zealand Atlilclic and Cycling Union). , The motion was then put and earned unanimously amidst applause.