The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY LEVIN. THURSDAY, JULY 29. 1915. SPORTS PROTECTION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 July 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY LEVIN. THURSDAY, JULY 29. 1915. SPORTS PROTECTION.

The Chronicle has been favoured with n copy ol the annual report ul the New Zealand Sports Protection League. TJjl' report shown that tlie lea gue has accomplished much luseiul work dining its existence, and notably so n the last twelve months, though the fact if> noted in the report that events ui connection with the war have ou jimeli oi' tlie people's attention that questions of local interest have been neglected. Although in these circuwisunices it i.s not wise to allow tlie intorcisUs ol sport to obtrude themselves , to the detriment ol' the work ol National defence anil recruiting, the policy of continuing our usual pastimes has been followed with a good healthy uilliicnce on the people, and without ini--pairing the work ol Ihe State. The board of control willingly allowed the league's organisation to be used for promoting the Poor ot Great Britain and Ireland and Belgium Kolief J. , iind The response I'rom the public was ol a very generous character and the L'und reached <CIUO,UUO before the Government inaugurated itis present scheme tor Belgian Relief. His Excellency the Governor, the JSari of Liverpool, became patron of the fund, and the whole- of the amount subscribed was sent through his hands to the imperial authorities at Uome. The generaJ secretary of the league is stiJl acting as the executive ollice for the Wellington Provincial Branch of the Dominion Belgian Relief Inuid, working in ao ■socialion with the Government scheme.

The aims and objects of the ioaguc arc now .so well understood that . : t Juu» established for itiieli a recognised place in our public life. Due ol its important objects "ie t<j educate public opinion in lavour ol the reasonable , indulgence by the poople in all classes <n legitimate sport. It is not desirable that we should produce only a I'oav highJy trained champions; but that the whole of the people should havo opportunities to enjoy the recognised sport and pastimes of the community without undue restriction. The <eagiie stands i'oi , the right at the various classes of sport to the iree exercise of their functions and privileges, provided that they are controlled by accredited authorities and conducted under proper conditions. These conditions prevail fti TTeiv Zealand at tho present time, and the promotion of sport under these conditions has a isignificaii nation value. It has for some time been acknowledged that tho maintenance of the physical fitness of the people is a matter of vital interest Co flie State. The present great war has .shown that those best equipped toj take their places in the fighting line are tho young men who have oeen prominent in out-door sport, and in j ffiTs direction Xew Zealand can already I look with pride upon the deeds of our ; men, a very large proportion of whom ' wore prominent amongst the various sports bodies throughout tho dominion. I The .Sports Protection League, while ' standing aloof from the elates of sport t which it does not think worthy of sup- ' port, and although not identified with : any particular class of sport, providers an organisation to assist every branch of legitimate out-door recreation, and

to protest sport from the wanton tatack of those,, who by legislation -jr otherwise, would destroy its usefulness or curtail its present privileges.

The question of War taxation J) us been discussed with considerable freedom in the public press. A number of different sections of the community were allowed every opportunity to express their views us to the manner by which necessary increased revenue .should bo obtained. Some organised bodies passed resolutions bearing upon the subject. Ju some caws it was advocated that the section of the community whoso interests it is the duty of the league to protect, should bo asked to bear what was thought an unfair imposition. It was considered by the board necessary, owing to the prominence which the question liad received, to place before the branches and also Before Sic public, their views upon the subject. A circular letter was issued by the chairman dealing comprehensively with the question in so far ;ia it affected the interests of sport. The Hon. tlu>Prime Minisier has received a deputation from the league, and members of Parliament have been instructed in tlieir respective districts with regard.-: to the league's attitude. The proposal* of the Government are not yef known; but it is hoped that they will not be such as to mark out the sporting community for a special, distinctive and unfair increase in taxat-