BOXING

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1046, 14 November 1947, Page 3

BOXING

WHAKATANE TOURNAMENT OPOTIKI BOYS’ BOUTS Several Opotiki boys took part in the last Whakatane Boxing Association’s tournament. These bouts were as follows : ,J J. Odejy Tauranga, 11.0,’ v. K. Talbot, Opotiki, 11.9: Odey received his usual good reception from the crowd on entering the ring. He was announced as "killer” Odey but although receiving the verdict in a slugging match, he never at any stage looked a killer. J. Curtis, Opotiki, 7.6 v. C. Matchitt, Edgecumbe, 8.3: Won by Curtis on points, after a close fight. T. Hona, Whakatane, 6.10, v. M. Hudson, Opotiki, 7.6 : Hona showed an. improvement on his previous fight and gained a close points decision.

L. D’Almida, Opotiki, 11.6 v. R. Wood, Whakatane, 12.0. This was quite a good contest. Both boys were wary of each other and a draw was the only possible verdict. G. Simons, Otakiri, 8.7 v. B. Williams, Opotiki, 8.0: This was a close contest and the verdict to Simons was not altogether justified. C. Curtis, Opotiki, 3.6 v. A, McIntyre, Gisborne, 8.6: Both boye mixed it willingly but Mclntyre’s experience won him the decision on points. Curtis is as game as they make them.

N. Crawford, Kat kali, 10.10 v. T. Connor, Opotiki, 10.3. Crawford, the Bay of Plenty title holder, met Connor at his best and Connor received a well-earned points decision.

mg to pass the blame on to other -fellow. When they had gone into the question thoroughly it was discovered there were bottlenecks against increased production. The whole economy of the country was clearly linked together and the whole system must be speeded up. If one section failed to do its part the whole was effected. The unity of the world was necessary, to solve the world problems.

His hearers could see how complex the position was. There was a limit to the heljj food parcels could give. The scheme could become so cumbersome that it could actually be a hindrance. The necessity was to help all by bulk shipments. Forwarding too many parcels would result in turning a virtue into a vice. In his own opinion he believed a lot of bulk food was being diverted to help others in Europe. He did not want the complexity of the position to d scouragc people. He feared the trouble of shortage of food would spread out into 1947. What lie wanted to do was to tell what other Empire countries were doing. In South Africa three simple steps had been taken. The first was to send 21,000,000 shell eggs in three months by the simple expedient of the people going without. Then the next step was to sow grain crops for next year to increase egg production. They had learned from South Africa to do something now, to do something now for something later and to do something for even later on. A short term policy suggested was that New Zealand could fur, ther ration meat and butter. He believed the country would be divided down the middle if she adopted this policy. AYc can’t help Britain by impoverishing ourselves. Wc could forgo the coupons not used—hand them in. Wc could forgo our Christmas cakes. Sonic women’s institutes were making Christmas cakes and sending them overseas. These women were making a real sacrifice. In regard to bulk parcels he would suggest (lie Mayor see that the parcels went to those to whom they were sent. In this eoutitry the people should forswear blaekniarkctiiig. He hoped they would not encourage blackmarketiug in food. In some districts in New Zealand blackmarketiug was going on. He urged that wc be honest with ourselves also j.u the matter of petrol. Long term proposals would be issued by the committees later on. Great Britain was not the world’s debtor but the world’s creditor, declared Mr. Melville. Nothing wc can do will bo too much and nothing wc can do will be too little. He hoped there would be expanding production from Opotiki district. At the conclusion of his address Mr. Melville was personally thanked by Mr. Johnson who also thanked Mr. Dornbush. He regretted there had not been a packed hall. There were some things- we had got to take notice of. Wc had to find out what we could do ourselves. All had got to work together, all were interlocked, and everyone had to work and pull in together. We could not assist Britain unless we all work together. He assured Mr. Melville that only the best was put into the parcels packed locally. Ho would move a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his wonderful address.

Mr. Gordon said. Mr. Melville’s eloquent address had been an inspiration to those present. The public did not know what it had missed. On behalf of the executive of his committee lie extended thanks and appreciation to Mr. Melville for his address. Mr. Melville was warmly applauded.