VISITING ATHLETES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 83, 5 October 1938, Page 9

VISITING ATHLETES

AUSTRALIAN TEAM

NO TOUR TILL 1940

Replies to a query as to the views of centres regarding the proposed tour of New Zealand by a team of Australian athletes in the coming season were received at last night's meeting of the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and as a result no Australian team will visit this country at the request of the controlling body until 1940.

Canterbury stated that the centre was in favour of a New Zealand tour, provided that members of the team were of sufficiently high standard, and subj ct also to satisfactory financial arrangements being made. Hawke's BayrPoverty Bay was not in favour of the tour, but favoured any individual centres desirous of conducting tours. Auckland was very anxious to make certain that an Australian team would tour in the Centennial year, and considered that year of paramount importance. It was doubtful, the letter stated, if a team from: any other country could be secured for those celebrations, owing to the Olympic Games, and it was not desired to prejudice the chances of an Australian team. If it could be assured that a 1939 team would still leave a 1940 team able to come, the centre would approve in principle of such a team. The West Coast (North Island) Centre was in favour of a visit by overseas athletes, providing, however, that the letter did not render the team liable for any guarantee necessary,-

Wellington was in favour of the tour, said the secretary (Mr. H. McCormick).

It was the intention of the centre to conduct a tour of the province, stated a letter from Otago, with a possible appearance at Timaru and Christchurch, of the Australian athletes Backhouse and Best, Both men had been communicated with and had accepted the invitation should the tour be approved by the council and the Victorian A.A.A. Approximate dates were stated to be December 14 to January 14. After the views of the centres had been conveyed to the meeting the chairman (Mr. R. W. McVilly) summed up the attitude which had been taken regarding the proposed tour.* "They are all in favour of "spilling some of my brother's blood, but don't spill any of mine," he said.

A motion was then put that the tour be held in 1940, and this was carried.

Otago was granted permission to conduct a tour as indicated, subject to approval of the itinerary by the council.

It was decided to hold the annual meeting on Tuesday, November 29. A motion was passed congratulating