ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2181, 20 June 1914, Page 14

ATHLETICS.

[Br Mercurt.] OUR OLYMPIC ATTITUDE. Critics on Our Aloofness. "Harrier," of tlio "Australasian," has the following comment on New Zealand's attitude in regard to Australasian Olympic matters :— "The Now Zealand Olympic Council has confirmed the action of its delegates in declining to join the Australasian body. Tho main points seems to be that Now Zealand wants to 'come in on equal voting and other terms,with all the rest, of ' Australia combined. There is no harm in wanting, but it is not likely to bo granted, nor would it bo justifiable. With quite equal force New ,• South Wales or Victoria might object to weaker States, such as Western Australia or Tasmania, having equal representation with themselves. Neither on tho ground of population, purso, or personnel is New Zealand of greater moment than Now South Wales or Victoria. "For long New Zealand, or, rather, a .strong section of Now Zealanders, has desired to obtain separate- rank and representation on the International Olympic Committee, which meets this month in Paris, but, if they get it, it will be of little use to them. In the world of sport they are too tiny to contest successfully against the rest of the world. Even Australasia combined cannot do this, and probably never will within the. next fifty years at least. Hitherto, each State and the Dominion ihas managed Olympic affairs through its own local committee. This was found to have serious drawbacks. '.'ln tho general interest of all the Australian bodies decided to federate, though to each it meant making some concession to local powers. It is a pity Now Zealand- cannot see its' way to do tho same. As matters stand they will probably find abstention disadvantageous to themselves."A New Zealand Answer. "Mercury" had intended to have dealt with "Harriers' " remarks himself, but on perusal of tho week's files, ho found that "Sprinter," in the last issue of •the "Canterbury Times" had forestalled him. Tho southern writer puts the New Zealand caso successfully and well, and as his contentious answer our Victorian critic's contentions very ably, "Mercury" borrows them with thanks. "Sprinter" writes, inter alia: The New Zealander is beginning' ' to demand that the name of hia country shall be proclaimed .independent of any' other section of the' Empire. Tho New Zealandor does not expect to- do any fetter at tho . Olympic Games, by separate action than by being joined with Australia; but he wants to enter, compete, and play his part from beginning to end as a New Zealander. He does not begrudge his Aus. tralian cousin all tho success that he can gain; but ho wants the cousin to understand that a New Zealander is not an Australian because they happen to speak the same tongue and to be near neighbours. In short, tho New Zealander wants to play his own piece, and seemingly thero are men in Wellington with sufficient backbone to mako their meaning plain and to stand by their decision. The Hoel of the Oppressor. Hannis Kohelmaiiien, the -Finnish Olympic treble champion, recently returned to his native country ', after his long and successful sojourn in America. Ho was accorded a triumphant reception on his arrival.in his homeland; with an astounding result. Evidently to mark its disapproval of the national sentiment awakened by the honouring • of the doughty little Finn, the Russian Government has taken a hand iii Ffunish Olympic matters, and has decreed that in future athletes of that country shall be permitted to cor.peto at the Games only as Russians. It is probable that in consequence tho ■ Finlnsh ' Olympic Committee will be abandoned. A Tlmoly Note. From the usual source como the following notes oh harrier doings. Their writer is on sound ground when he deplores the apathy of the centre and club officials with regard to the provincial C.C. championship, and it is to bo hoped that his remarks will prove effectual in arousing'■'• those in [charge' from their somnolency. Says oiir correspondent at the front: —"Last week attention was drawn to the approaching crcss-country championship, _ and the fact that the shortness of time available necessitated the officials getting busy with the. preliminary arrangements. Since then one enthusiastic delegate has spent considerable, time endeavouring, firstly, to arrange a meeting of tho centre to deal with this matter, and, secondly, a meeting of club delegates with a view to bringing about a speeding up of things.. Unfortunately his efforts have met with no response from the centro nor cooperation from the club Why this slackness? Surely there is sufficient enthusiasm nnd esprit do corps among the local harriers to tackle this urgent matter and puvi matters oi a proper footing without any further'loss of time. For instance/the Brooklyn Club, which holds the Whyto and Mackay Shield, in token of last year's victory, and tho Olympic Club, with.its captain, F. J. Byrne, the present provincial champion, should be displaying considerably more interest in the conduct of the fixture. It is a fact, the writer knows, that training operations are in progress, but it appears as though the benefit thereof is going to accrue only to the individuals concerned,'and not to their clubs or the centres." A point to consider is this: If the championship event lapses, the shield reverts to the Wellington Clr.b, without tho necessity for competition, and this eventuality would, be a most undesirable one from all points of view. Once more, harriers, wake up. Wellington Harriers. Last Saturday the Wellington Club held its annual Palmer Cup competition, undoubtedly the favourite race of tho year, and'despite the wretched weather a fair'number "of club supporters encouraged the competitors in their ' efforts. Tho field _ was considerably smaller than on previous occasions, only ten starters "saddling up" and of these eight finished tho distance. Last season's winner. T. Farrington, was debarred from ill-health from defending his hold on the trophy, previous winner in the person of Felix itoh'borry, who annexed tho coveted pride of place in 1911, made another bid for its possession. Tho winner turned up in A: Pleasant, who ran a great race, covering the journey in ISmiin. 45sec, considerably below his previous times over a similar distance. For tho second yeai in succession, W. Donaldson put up the fastest time. On this occasion he was clocked at 17min. 40sec, as against 18min. 35sec. last season. Conditions, on Saturday were all against fast running, but nevertheless tho timing showed a decided increase in pace since last year, the difference showing that training has made the pack practically one minute faster on tho whole over the distance. Jtowberry was in tho main the cause of the fast times recorded by the first six. He went out at tho gun with a great spurt and quickly got the lead. Ho maintained the advantage for some time, and then Donaldson came at him hard, and there ensued a struggle that continued throughout the race and from which Donaldson emerged with nine seconds to the, good. Bad News. It is rumoured that F. J. Byrne is uot ill the best of health at present,

and that he has had to temporarily suspend training operations. This is bad news and the many friends of the provincial champion will be glad to hear of his return to complete health and fitness before he is called upon to defend his title.