EMPIRE GAMES SQUABBLE

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1948, Page 6

EMPIRE GAMES SQUABBLE

Christchurch Disappointment P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 3. ■ Declaring that he was left sick by the announcement that Auckland was to be the venue of the Empire Games, the Mayor of Christchurch, (Mr. E. H. Andrews) said: “One of the chief reasons for my disappointment is that Auckland, not for the first time, has used its greater numbers to bludgeon Christchurch out of something—the Games, this time.” If the Auckland province had been celebrating its centenary, not a province in the South Island would have thought of applying against Auckland for the Games, he said. They would have recognised that it was common courtesy to let Auckland have the Games in the circumstances. “That, however, is not the way of Auckland. Like a great octopus the northern centre puts out its tentacles to draw everything into its maw. Auckland has stolen the School of Forestry from Canterbury and is trying to take the Medical School away from Dunedin. “We must be up and doing or Auckland will steal our birthright and offer us mot even a mess of pottage in return,” said Mr. Andrews. Matter Brought Up In Parliament

P.A. WELLINGTON, September 3. Mr. J. T. Watts, (Nat., St. Albans) in the House of Representatives, said: “Nobody would deny Auckland her right to share the benefits that come to this country, but as a South Island and Canterbury member I am extremely disappointed with the decision to hold the British Empire Games in Auckland. We are having in 1950 the centennial of our province and a great deal of work and thought have gone into making it worthy of a century of progress. The Games would have been of considerable advantage to Christchurch and Canterbury.” Mr. R. McDonald (Govt., Ponsonby): You can’t do anything about it. Mr. T. E. Skinner (Govt., Tamaki): The people themselves made the. decision.

HOW THEY VOTED Members of the national executive of the N.Z. Empire Games Association who voted at the meeting when the decision was given in favour of Auckland by eight votes to four, were: Messrs A. D. Bayfield, chairman (representing rowing); H. Amos (secretary and co-opted member), N. N. Oldershaw (swimming), F. W. Ongley (weight-lifting), W. F. Hadwin (bowls), J. L. Squire (hockey), P. N. Robinson (cycling), T. M. Wilson (fencing), S. S. Dean (Rugby), J. W. Steel (wrestling), H. I. Austad (athletics), and L. A. Tracy (boxing). The chairman of the executive committee (Mr. A. D. Bayfield), said: “In my opinion the executive has full power to decide the venue of the Empire Games, as was done at the meeting held on Wednesday, evening, and I do not think any affiliated national association will question this. Surprise whs expressed by other members of the executive at the suggestion that their decision should be reviewed by the whole representative council. The leader of the Christchurch delegation (Mr. . T. H. Langford) quoted a site, stating: “It is 1 the "duty ‘to secure that the views of the national associations governing sport in New Zealand shall have their due weight and Influence in the organisation of the British Empire Games.’ “In accord with this clause, all sports bodies affiliated with the association should have all the facts before them,” said Mr. Langford. “Then all the statements by the applicants could be checked and each national organisation direct how its vote should be cast.