MEN'S HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 11

MEN'S HOCKEY

IMPROVING THE GAME

DOMINION CONFERENCE

Many matters of interest and importance to hockey players throughout New Zealand were discussed at a conference called by the New Zealand Hockey Association in Wellington today. Over thirty delegates were present, associations from Auckland to Southland being represented.

The president of the association, Mr. H. S. J. Goodman, said this was the first conference called for the purpose of improving the game in New Zealand. Since 1902, when the association was formed, 21 associations had affiliated to the parent body, and about 5000 men were now playing the game in the Dominion. Hockey in New Zealand today was stronger than ever before, and nothing had given such a fillip to the game as the visit of the Indian team last year. The president said that Mr. P. Gupta, who was assistant manager of the Indian Olympic team, had advised him that he was seeing what the prospects were for a New Zealand team to tour Europe in the future. It was quite likely, said the president, that if the tour could be financed" in Europe the project would materialise.

Membership of- the conference was limited to one delegate from each affiliated association, and the members of the management committee of the N.Z.H.A., each member having one vote. On behalf of the Wellington Association, Mr. C. P. McKenzie (chairman) entered an emphatic protest against the fact that every member of the management committee of the parent body was ,eligible to vote. His association felt, he said, that the conference would be overloaded in voting power if the management committee had a start of nine votes! The position was almost without precedent. If the management'committee did not wish a certain remit carried they need only register a collective vote. The president said he did not think there would be a conflict of opinion. They were present to do their best for the game, and if there was a divergence of opinion it would be in the best spirit. : The matter was carried no further. The following remits were carried:— "That the conference recommend the advisability of affiliating with the International Hockey Board." "That replacements be allowed up to half-time subject to .the approval of <( the International Hockey Board." "That the management committee of the N.Z.H.A. allow replacements throughout all interprovincial matches controlled by the parent association."

The matter was carried no further

The following remits were carried:—

"That it be, a recommendation to the N.Z.H.A. to reconsider the boundaries of major associations and to appoint commissioners to go into the matter."

"That the N.Z.H.A. be asked to investigate a, national insurance scheme for players, and, if more advantageous terms can be-secured, to seek the co-operation of the New Zealand Women's Hockey Association, the results of the investigation to be reported to affiliated associations."