Spotty

NZ Truth, Issue 1201, 6 December 1928, Page 6

Spotty

"M.Z. TRUTH" has always been, and indeed still is, a strong supporter of the Olympic .Games movement 'and any organization that tends to the encouragement of clean amateur sport. Despite .the welter of innuendo that has besmirched the record of the last Olympic team from New Zealand, this paper has no reason to withdraw its support or to condemn the Games. It Is not the intention of "N.Z. Truth" to weigh the pros and cons of the arguments and accusations of the contending parties m the unfortunate, dispute that has arisen. Had it not been a matter of public interest it is probr able that the matter would have been threshed out and adjusted, or otherwise disposed of, m the meeting-place of the body controlling the sport. The fact Is, however, that the team was sent to Amsterdam at public expense as a result of a widespread appeal, launched through'the newspapers, m which "N.Z. Truth" played no small part. ' ' " • It Is proper , then, thai the people who financially supported the team should know exactly how they were served by their ambassadors of sport overseas. This information will ensure that extreme care will be taken when the time comes to again consider an appeal of this kind; New Zealand will profit by the mistakes made on this occasion, and it is safe to say that any future team, from the manager down, will be chosen with the utmost care and caution. Members of the team will also realize i clearly that they are on no pleasure or sightseeing Jaunt, and anything they do will be subject to 'the clear, searching light of publicity. It is indisputable that the men who comprise the Olympic Council are disinterested sportsmen who are working wholeheartedly for a worthy cause. "N.Z. Truth" haa no reason to doubt that they will be with this paper m an endeavor to. turn the bitter lesson of team disruption to good account for the benefit of amateur sport. l