JAPANESE ATHLETES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 29, 18 February 1937, Page 4

JAPANESE ATHLETES

— Press A8soeiation.)

Chargea Against Doihinidn Denied — — • NO SECRECY

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, This Day. The charge that the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association had conducted negotiations for the" J&panbse tour secretly is denied by Mf H. McOormick, secretary of the association. Join iiegotiationis were commenced between Ne# Sbuth Wales and New Zealand many months ago, said Mr McCormick, for a visit by a team of Japanese athletes, the correspondence being conducted by New South Wales. In September it was learned that the New South Wales association had abandoned the idea of a Japanese team and was contemplatiiig inviting a team from Amerlca. No further advice was received for nearly three monthB. In the meantime, the New Zealand couneil cabled Japan asking for information as to what athletes would be available for a tour of New Zealand. New South Wales then asked New Zealand te co-operate in a tour by. the Amerieans, and as no reply Was to hand from Japan the New Zealand body agreed. On Decembef 17 the Japaiifege cabled that Murrtkoso and Togami were available to leave Tokio on January 11, and when it beeame certajn that the Amerieans could not cOme on account of the Pacific shipping strike the Japanese were definitely invited. The New South Wales association was advised of this, and later,*on February 2, was asked to advise the New Zealand association if it WiSlied the Jap&n6se to appear there. A reply was received last Monday, asking v/hat terms the New Zealand Associ;'. ;ion would desire-— » fixed sum or a share of the "gate."