SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2236, 24 August 1914, Page 9

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

ANNUAIi REPOft'Ti

The animal report of the New Zealand Sportss Protection League States .that the past year has not. been one. of extronie activity! , (Hit the , leiigue lias proved its iisefulhess as a rallying joint tor several sebtiniii of Sport which we're siiff difficulties . of various jtiucls. Tlie rating oil sports grounds is a question, which the league has. been: able to 'take Tip. with some degree of success. The heavy: imposition. ,was severely felt iri'.sbiiie ..of the.,. Iritger. centres, particularly in Wellington, where it was bectimihg difficult to hold some of the playing areas which had been formed at cbhsiderable expense.' Tn Wellington,^.very, eubstantial reiniseioii 6f bve'i" £3tW per annum nas obtained, of which, amount football-re-ceived the benefit .Of about > £150 per ariniihl; while the tennis and howling clubs received the advantage of the balance; Tliß saiile question is now being taken up by the Auckland branch of ttie lfeawugj aft .'example which sh'buld be' follbwed by other centres' interested:' The league's office also prpved an ideal place from whicli to campaign-Wi-.the acquisition .of ti large arei of iiatiye bush ahd lecre'atidri groMds to brie' of the Idfge" centres,' which has bow been: secured, as a national park at a coSt of £14,000.. The only ribrhinatioiis rtceived_ for the Board of Crtntroi ai-.e : . those of thi retiring ineinbers, who will iii consequence. continue to hold office. Mr. J. H. B. Cdates isat present on a trip'fx) EuglairJj But expects to return iii a. jow months' time. Le&ve i)f abseiiec has been granted to him, and a desire expressed that he should retain his Seat dri tlie board. . A suggestion has been made that in order to maintain a'ii. interest iii the"<vork.br, the.league, and to extond its iteiifiilness, that centres of management should be foniied.in the., tlir.ee'principal cities outside , of . Wellitgboh. These ceiitrel,would wdrlc under tliS coiitrol of tlio Centfiil Bohrdj alid would Be prbJ vidßd.wjtli a sufficient, jlSsiired nnSnbe to kfiep their bwti. branch an abtii fores in' all matters atfectiiigj sport; while , .,at Hie. samib time they.would assist the.life 6f_ tho branches in the immedihte districts. .If tho scheme is found to be practicable; it will bfe carried but; should eircutilstailces perJnit. " ; -'/'During (cbntiniiea the report) the Ge'heral Election is; to take placej and altlioiigh the ; league is. iii no senSe , a party organisation, and y does not in.any way identify itself with tho practical politics of tllß country,.;it is one of. its functions to secure the election of good b'road-inihded men, who are in syhlbatliy with bb'jdcts of the lbagiiei, .alia tp, opp¥se those caridiilates wlio^niajre ; waht<)ii attacks oii legitimate spdrtj or favour undue oppression and intoriereiicb... .For the giji.ualice.of membefs it might be mentioned that the policy, as laid dbwri. .up to the present provides that tlie electorates should be classea,.as ' ■, . ...

(a), tlidse ,ili .which i>6Jth. cfiridiciaieS are, favourable to the league's policy, and iii whicli consequently . tlie , league must he absolutely impartial. (b) ThoSo in which iho .candidates

haro diStiiiotiy djverso views as to ouf; policy, aiid in which therefore, the'•league■ woWd.exerci.se its whole, influence in' favour of its Supporter agaiist its op l ' potlent. "■■•-. ■ ' '

It will probably bo necessary to submit queatioha td candidates to ascertain their viows on subjects affecting tho leagiie'j and in order that there may be some uniformity- in action throughout tho.Doiriinibn the Board or Coiitrol' will driift, and Siibiiiit for the cqnsicleritioii bf the branches qiiestibiis which in ay be suitable for the jju'rpbse.. In conclusioii ii; niay sa/ely. ho said that .at the preseiit time there is a good broad-minded fepliiig ihrdugKout tlio Domiiijon towards sporty a7>d, generally. tlioSe ill ptlb'lic life view our aims and dbjeots wjtlj sympathy, arid approval. The league is erititled to sbme credit for"

its influence upoii public opinion in tbis direotioh, and It is eihinetitly desirable, that thb present very satisfactory coiiditiohs shduld bi> niaihtaihed. To tills end the leagufe is-entitled to' a'si; th'iit' all persons interested in oiit-ddor, sports should jom tlie leteiie and by increasing' its mbrribqrsTiip aefd to. its eftebtiverless in carrying out the objects frhioh it has undertaken. '...' '

The roport is signed by Sir Geo.ClifEord as president:.. ..The balance-sheet sliowa that,the doiiationg aiid subscriptions for the year, amounted .to £7.63 us. 2d.,'.which- witli £234. 3s. Bd. .brought tlib feveihie accoiint up to £1047 . i2a. lOd. Sundry expensed ammmted to £252. 14s. -7ci.,. salrtfics td £498 Bs. 4d., and travelling and organising expenses £151. Is. 6cl.jleaving a balance of_.£lso Bs. sd. to credit.