SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2489, 5 October 1922, Page 2

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE.

LOCAL BRANCH REFORMED. There was an attendance of aI ,i ini twenty representatives of sports bodies at a meeting convened by the secretary of the N.Z. Sports Protection League to revive the local branch, in the Town Hall supper-room lasi night. Tim Mavor (Mr J. Chrystall) presided ami introduced the League secretary, Mr Shallcrass. Tn doing so the Mayor said all kinds of physical sports and pastimes were worthy of public support and encouragement. Mr Shallcrass before explaining the aims and objects of the League made complimentary reference to the activities of the Racing. Bowling and Tennis clubs, whose properties lie bad visited. These were splendid public assets and were worthy of public support and enronrnjgemeiit. He said t lie river was specially adapted for rowing and this branch of health recreation should be taken up. Dealing with the Leagues activities, lie said ; i was out to protect sport from a certain class of men who desired to restrict sport and the liberty of participants by legislation. The League was out to oppose such narrow mindedness and educate public opinion. Tie referred to what had been done to protect the boxing-in-terests, when an attempt had been made to close the Wellington Town Hall against such exhibitions and the use of public reserves for Sunday golf, etc. Relief to sports bodies in taxation of their grounds : ,nd the necessity for playing areas in all centres was touched upon. The class of men who formed the executive of the League were men of standing and repute in the Dominion and had been conected at one time and another with all branches of sport, The League had no connection "with any political

party but existed for the maintenance and support of all branches of sport and to see that broadminded men were elected to public positions. The League was opposed also to the amusement tax and held that any club which did, not exist for private gain should not. be taxed. The exemption granted to A. and P. Societies in this connection should be extended to sports clubs. He quoted an extract from the Anglican Church Gazette which held that sports bodies were not being treated fairly in this connection. At the conclusion Mr E. Ball asked why and how the League came into existence and whether it was not controlled by the Racing Conference. He added that the branch which formerly existed in Foxton consisted of members of the Foxton Racing Club. Was it not a. fact that the League was out to protect the totajisator? He said certain people could attend all other classes of sport but were debarred from the racecourse. Yet plenty of officials of Racing Clubs were equally as bad but no distinction was made so far as they were concerned. He could not see the justice or fairness of such discrimination.

In reply Mr Shallerass said the League' existed to prevent the infringement of the rights of the people and protected the totalisator as against- the operations of the bookmaker,. The. Racing Conference had contributed to the League funds as had other sports bodies. The membership fee was 1/- and 2/0 if badge was supplied, _ v , Mr Me Coll Does the' League consider bookmakers sports?

Mr Shallerass: T am not going to express any opinion on that point, but there is nothing to prevent bookmakers becoming members.

Tn reply to Mr Admore, Mr Shallerass said the Sports Protection League bad nothing to do with the Welfare League. Mr Jewell said he did not know that a branch of the League had previously existed in Foxton. He said the objects of the League_were in accord with the ideas of sportsmen and its operations had bad a beneficial effect upon all branches of sport and promoted a broadminded and healthy interest in that realm. Tt did not exist to protect one branch of sport alone. He would be pleased to support a local branch of the League. In reply to Mr Burr, Mr Sliall- ( rass said no levy was made upon sports bodies and the funds were made up of voluntary contributions.

"Mr Ball said be was quite in accord with the League’s aitivities except in regard to racing and oii that ground would not support it. The chairman said Mr Shallerass’ explanation of Hie aims and objects i f the League were entirely satisfactory and the objects merited public support, particularly in regard to the athletic side. Tt was unanimously resolved to reform the local branch and the following officers were elected: — Patron, the Mayor (Mr John Chrvstallj: president, Mr Jewell; vicepresidents. Messrs F. Robinson, .T. Burr, W. E. Barber, J. Desmond, R. Bryant, and E. Jackson: committee, .Messrs McDonnell, Freeman, Christie. L. ('. Bryant. H. Reid, and W. Xye: secretary and treasurer. Mr R. Rangihenea. Mr Shallerass was accorded a vide of thanks for his interesting address and in reply said it had been a privileflge to attend such a meeting and he thanked those pre--oni for such a patient hearing. They could rest assured that the League was out to assist all classes of sport and to remove disabilities.

Mr Christie asked whether the League would assist the local football club to redress differences with the Ilorowhenua Union. Mr Shallcrass said such matters must be adjusted between the bodies concerned, but the League would be pleased to give advice if re(|iiired.

A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.