CYCLING CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 87, 9 October 1931, Page 5

CYCLING CONTROL

POSITION ELUCIDATED

STEPS TAKEN BY N.Z.A.A.A.

MR. AUSTAD EXPLAINS Further enlightenment as to the position of cycling in New Zealand was given by. Mr. H. I. Austad, chairman of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, at a special meeting of the Wellington Centre of the association last evening, and as a result several misapprehensions were corrected. Tho two representatives of the N.Z.A.A.A. Council present, the Cycling Sub-committee of the Wellington Centre, and the local athletic executive were in entire accord that the complications which had arisen required prompt attention, and Mr. Austad's comprehensive review of the situation indicated that the steps that had been • taken would finalise matters in the near future. N.Z.A.AJU RIDERS. "Our case, as required by the National Cyclists' Union, England, has been completed and has been submitted to the Homo authorities," said Mr. Austad. "Some time ago the New Zealand Union of Cyclists was granted affiliation to the international body, but from, discussion with officials in .Great Britain during my recent visit to England I found that affiliation had : been granted under a misapprehension, •; and the National Cyclists' Union decided to reopen the case." Tho N.Z.A.A.A. had 119 clubs affiliated to it, and "declarations from 75 of theso showed ' that the N.Z.A.A.A. 'had' between six and' seven hundred riders under its control; this would constitute definite evidence for the Home authorities. He invited questions portinent to New Zealand cycling. THE BOABD OF CONTEOL. Mr. 0. Toomer asked what powers the Board of Control of Dominion cycling had. ' . • . I Mr. Austad: "Their power is. as-a: central body to administer and deliberate on matters in connection with international rules; they shall have the control of both amateur and cash cycling. . Mr. Toomer desired to know the position of the men at present riding for the N.Z.U.C, in the event of the Board of Control receiving recognition, to which Mr. Austad replied: "We would admit these cyclists without victimisation." ~ ' ■ Mr. J. Harrison: "Our cyclists consider that the old riders who joined the break-away movement from our ranks should be penalised in some way, although the younger cyclists should not. Such matters, Mr, Austad said, would best be left to a. later date for discussion. .-'-: Mr. J. Stalker raised the question as to Dominion cyclists competing at the Oympic Games; four men, he said, were being nominated by the N.Z.U.C. Mr. Toomer: "Wo were living in hope that this matter would be cleared up before the track season opened." In reply, Mr. Austad said that a large meeting of the international body would be held shortly, and there was no reason why tho New Zealand question should not be expedited. They had every right to ask urgoncy in view of the Olympic Games next year. He was of the. opinion that unification of the control of New Zealand cycling would cause a greater boom in the sport than there was to-day. ■• _ Mr. H. Rose: "Is the Board of Control subordinate to the New Zealand Council in connection with this side of the.sport?" *.',.. __ Mr. Austad stated that only m international matters would the board be in a position to over-rule thecouaeui decisions. It was not a governing body, only an interpreting one. • _TJNNBBS CONT_O_I_NO CYCLING." Mr. C. Clark, secretary of the Wellington Centre's Cycling Sub-committee, expressed the opinion that it would be more in the' interests of the sport f or the Board of Control to have jurisdiction over matters pertaining to cycling. It had been freely-said among local riders that the sport was being run by men whose interest was in running. "Is it possible for a sub-committee to be formed by the New Zealand Council to look after cycling!" asked Mr. Stalker. Riders would feel that they were getting better representation by this method. ■ Mr. D. Wilson: "We are all workiag for the best in amateur sport, and in order that each branch may work at sufficient strength we must all stick together for the general benefit." Mr. Austad: "The interests are interlocking and they must run together." In conclusion, Mr. Austad, with whom was associated Mr. L. A. Tracy, secretary of the council, said.he wanted the cyclists and the' centre to feel that the council was vitally interested in every move in connection with cycling. Some discussion followed regarding arrangements for the Palmerston North to Wellington race on 14th November, which promises to be one of the best to be held.