SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2156, 23 May 1914, Page 3

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

WELLINGTON BRANCH

ANNUAL REPORT ISSUED

■The Wellington branch of the New Zealand Sports Protection League. Has issued its annua] report.

Tho report states, inter alia:—The leaguo in Wellington and generally throughout the Dominion has not been called upon to show any great activity in combating tho views of that ext/remo section of tho community who woro so aggressive nt tho time the leaguo came iilto existence. AVe must, howover, anticipate opposition from many who, from various motives, object to harmless outdoor amusements as demoralising or extravagant. That wo believo we lave numorous opponents, and that these opponents would become aggressivo if there was no orgamsaiton in existence to combat their attempts to unduly interfere with reasonable recreation and sport, are the reasons why wo think that it is necessary to maintain a league for tho defence of outdoor sports.

Instances of Help Given. It has, hojvever, been found that, with tho organisation complete throughout tho Dominion, and every class of sport linked up into one solid body, the loaguo can extend itself into a field of usefulness not altogether anticipated in its early stages. As a body to express tho disabilities of individual clubs or particular'classes of sport it has been ablo to advocate the cause of individual sections with much mbro force and success than separate action was ablo to produce. Several movements of this character have been assisted in various parts of the Dominion, and particularly in Wellington tho league has been ablo to successfully help in obtaining a sub-; stantial remission of rates on those open playing areas in tho City, which havo been acquired and formed at considerable expense by private enterprise. , A resolution has been passed by which the whole of tho general rate on* these areas has been remitted —a concession to the various sports bodies interested of about £300 per annum. Acquiring Day's Bay Bush, The leaguo has also been ablo to identify itself with another' movement of quite a different character. At a period when it appeared to be nobody's business to prevent tho beautiful property at Day's Bay from going under tho auctioneer's hammer, and being cut up into building sites, tho league was able, to give very material assistance in promoting a deputation to tho Prime Minister. After tho Prime Minister had promised to place tho sum of £4000 on the Estimates towards the acquisition of tho property, the offico of the league proved an ideal placo from which to conduct tho campaign to find the balance of tho money required, which afterwards followed with, such marked success; and tho secretary devoted a great deal of his timo and energy to produce this gratifying result. Tho Coneral Election, During the present year the general election is to take place', and it is one of tho functions of the branch to watch the trend of events and to report to tho Board of Control ii' it should be deemed to be necessary to take an active part- in connection with any of tho contests within the city or suburbs. For tho guidance of members it might bo mentioned that the political policy as laid down up to the present provides that the electorates should bo classified as follow:—

(a) Those in which both candidates arc favourable to tho league's policy, and in which, consequently, tho league must be absolutely impartial. (b) 'Fhosc. in which tho candidates have distinctly diverse, views as to our policy, and in which therefore tho league would exercise its whole influenco in favour of its. Bupportcr against its opponent. It will probably be necessary to submit questions to candidates to ascertain their views on subjects .affecting theleague, and in order, that there- may bo some uniformity of, action throughout the Dominion tho Board of Control will draft and submit for tho consideration of the branch, questions which may be suitable for the. purpose. Board of Control Nominations, Tho committee has nominated the fol-' lowing for positions on tho Board of Control:—President, Sir George Clifford, Bart.; chairman, Mr C. "P. Skerrett, K.C.; hou. treasurers, Mr. lan> G. Duncan and Mr. J. H. B. Coates, Hon. Dr. Collins, M-L.C., Mr. C. "W. Tringliam.