ATHLETIC DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 47, 19 November 1926, Page 12

ATHLETIC DISPUTE

Sir,—Ln connection with my difference with the president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, may I encroach on your forbearance to point out that your necessarily condensed report of the special meeting of the conn, cil of that body held on Monday last did not clearly bring out the special point on which the West Coast (North Island) Centre, which I had the privilege to represent, based its protest against the resolution of suspension. Immediately following my remark that the council was acting in the matter of tours by overseas athletics “like an enterprising showman,” the president ruled, as reported by the Press, as follows :— "I am not going to tolerate that kind of thing You will either withdraw your remarks, Mr. Wilton, or take no further part in the meeting.” That hasty and ill-considered ruling appeared to me to be so extreme in comparison with my alleged offence that I lodged a protest, which was ovenruled. I thereupon exercised the option which was given to me and took no further part in the meeting. I now maintain that no amount of special pleading or raising of irrelevant issues can justify my suspension for allegedly failing to obey the ruling of the chair. The decision of the meeting is, in my opinion, so opposed to the accepted standards of justice and fair play that I have informed my centre that in no circumstances will I renew my connection with the council unless and until the motion of suspension is expunged from its records.—l am, etc., FRANK WILTON.