OVERSEAS ATHLETES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 83, 5 October 1938, Page 15

OVERSEAS ATHLETES

. ■* ; NO NATIONAL TOUR

DISAPPOINTMENT FELT

Surprise and disappointment are felt by Mr. A. C. Kitto, president of tha Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre, over the decision made by the. council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last night to'postpone a Dominion tour by overseas athletes until 1940 and to give the Qtago .CJentre permission to conduct a,tour of Otago by the two Victorians, G. I. Backhouse and' E. W. Best.

Mr. Kitto stated today that after;' Hi* return from the British Empire Games , early in the year the question of. bringing an Australian team to the Dominion for this season, had been "raised with the council, which,had. replies, that the suggestion would receive consideration. The Wellington % Certfre officials had been looking forward^to'and were counting on a- visit, by-a team from overseas. Particularly as mostwl the centres appeared to''be favourably , disposed towards a visit and. as in tne ; past its policy had been to favour national tours rather than tours conY ducted by individual centres, the couri-« cil's attitude was naturally disappointing. The Wellington' Centre had begun preparations 'early' this year for the new season; and with "the aid of the attraction of a visit "by a-team froriv overseas was hoping to build up' for the Centennial year.

Mr. Kitto referred to the nne performances of -the New -Zealanders V." P. Boot and C, H. Matthews at'the Erai pire Games in Sydney and of. the pub* lie interest whicti they had-awakened in this country, arid suggested that it would have been a good plan-to haver gone ahead and capitalised on that' this season by doing everything .possible'to stimulate further interest. The best way of accomplishing that was" to havehad a team from another country in; action

There was no doubt that -in Back- ; . house and Best the council -would have two good men for a national 'tourvßack* house,, in particular, ' was a t splendid. - runner, as his performance -in Jthe mils at the Empire ■ Games clearly dem6n»strated. The council,- however,- was' not. prepared to go- ahead • and had • placed the. Wellington Centre and Bny1 other centre which might wish to -pro-f vide its supporters' with an extra'- at* traction in the position of having to* I negotiate with the Qtago Centre. • One I difficulty was that the Otago Centre apr parently intended having- the service* of Best and Backhouse for some weeks*. a and the two athletes might- riot be able " I to remain longer in New Zealand. Howeyer, as they would be passing through I Wellington, it might be .possible toar* - range for their appearance here.,