WRESTLERS WARNED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 8

WRESTLERS WARNED

VISITORS TO DOMINION RETURN FARES HOME (P«r Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The necessity for professional wrestlers visiting New Zealand under contract to independent promoters insisting upon their return fares being paid was emphasised by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, last evening. 11-Ie issued a warning that wrestlers entering into contracts with promoters other than the Dominion Wrestling Union should ask for their keep in New Zealand, as well as their fares out of the country. The Minister said that since the close of the wrestling season four wrestlers came to New Zealand under contract to an independent promoter. The tour, he added, was a financial failure and he was approached on behalf of two of the men to assist them to leave the country. The Government was unable to grant the request. ”1 wish to make it clear," the Minister continued, "that the tour under notice was not sponsored by the Dominion Wrestling Union. Within the last year or two there have been other independent promoting efforts which have also resulted in wrestlers being stranded. “I am in a position to state that the union in the past, as well as in the present case, has acted in a most generous and sporting spirit. Obviously, however, it eannot be expected to take charge of wrestlers left stranded by rival promoters.”