OLYMPIC GAMES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1975, 4 February 1914, Page 8

OLYMPIC GAMES.

FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN COUNCILS^ NEW ZEALAND ALOOF. The conference of delegates appointed by tho various Olympic councils of Australia and New Zealand was continued at the Amateur Sports Club, Melbourne, .on Saturday (says tho '-Argus" of January '26), Mr. B. J. Parkinson, of Victoria , in tho chair-., The two New Zealand delegates, Mr. C. K Bridgo and Mr. G. P. KcddoU, advocated the continuance of existing arrangements for controlling the nominations of Australasian competitors at Olympic games through a central secretariat. The conference, by a majority .of 8 votes to 2, decided, however, to form a- national organisation, to bo sailed "Tho Olympic Federation of Australia and New Zealand." Mr. Bridge protested, on behalf of the Dominion, against the inclusion of the name of New Zealand in tho title, but, on the representations of Mr. Shand, of Victori, ■ who had the experience gained in tho formation of {the Australasian Lawn Tenuis' Association—the conference deeide'd to adhere to the title, and keep the door open for the Now Zealand eoun* cil to enter the federation after receiving a copy of tho' constitution framed by the conference. After registering their protest, the New Zealand delegates took no further part in tho proceedings of tho conference. -, "The growing national sentiment" (continues tho ''Argus"), "which is adadvanced as tho reason why New Zealand is averse from being "dragged at tho chariot wheels of Australia;" cannot be helped by its defection from tb© 1 Gi.yrapie federation. .A national coan* cil, to be recognised by tlio Interna* t-ional Olympic Committee., can only bo constituted by the representative'' of Australia and New Zealand on that com--mittco, which has .already refused an application from South Africa for separate representation, on tho grounds of j increasing the voting powers of the Em- : p-ire beyond the number'allotted te tho United States and Continental nations. Tho constitution of the new federation ■ adopted, by the conference makes special provision for subscribers to a public fund for representation at Olympic Games to have'the right to elect a delegate to the council d'f the federation, to vote on. tho distribution, of moneys subscribed. The of tho federation •were fixed in Sydney for the next four years, and Mr. A.. G. Do-L.. Arnold, of the Amateur Sporting . Federation of New South }Valcs, was appointed hon. secretary. ;. Tho new council will comprise: B. J. | Parkinson (Vic), G. Shand (Vic), Vioary Horiiiman (N.S.W,), James Tavlor (N.S.W,), C; Crawford (Q.). IV. Finnirooro (Q.I, 0. Kellett (SJA.),' L. Matthews (S.A.), and E. A. Brooke (Tas,).' Ift tho -event of New Zealand reconsidering its decision to hold aloof from thc_ federation, two additional delegates will be appointed to represent the Dominion. 'Tho conference passed- a resolution earnestly requesting Mr. R, Coombes. the representative for and •New Zealand on the International Olympic Committee, to attend the congress, in Paris, in June. The Australasian delegates at this congress will ho instructed to advocate for the inclusion of boxing, wrestling, and opCn-boat sailing in the standard programmes of events; also to vote for the reduction nf tho number of competitors representing each nation,- and a more equitable allotment of points. In. ,fho closing cession of tho conference 'the visiting delegates .expressed their appreciation of. the valuable assistance in the deliberations rendered by tlio.Victorian representatives, who had framed, tho majority of tho resolutions embodied in the constitution of'the 'new' federation,.