SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 20 October 1919, Page 3

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

MEETING AT OTAKI. There was a good attendance of about thirty persons at- the pnblic meeting held at the Druids' Hall, Otaki, on Friday night last, for the purpose of resuscitating the local branch of the Sports Protection League. Mr K. W. Shallcrass (general secretary), of Wellington, was present at the meeting.

Mr W. Tompsitt, who was voted to the chair, explained the object of the gathering. The organisation was for the purpose of promoting sport in New Zealand. Mr Tompsitt called on Mr O. J. D'Ath (secretary of the branch) to place the position of affairs before the meeting.

Mr D 'Ath stated that the branch had just made a good start when the war broke out in 1914, and sinco then no meetings had been held. He read the minutes of the annual meeting held on May sth, 1914, and also Tcsd the balance-sheet, showing that the branch had a credit balance in hand of £2 10s 3d. The balance-sheet was adopted. Mr Shallcrass' Address.

Mr R. W. Shallcrass then addressed tho meeting, by invitation of the chairman. He expressed pleasure at seeing such a large and representative gathering, and stated that during the day he had been moving Otaki, and had met with a cordial reception from. all. He found the residents took a keen interest in the work of the loague, and in sport *n'genoral. During the war period the league naturally, had done very little, as the majority of their members were away doing their duty at the front. In this connection, Mr ShallcTa'ss claimed that the members of sports bodies, as soldiers, had given an extremely good account of themselves, and had been represented as well as, if not better than, any other section of the community. Most Britishers, he said, recognised that sport plnyed an important part in our physical development, and helped in discipline. Our late enemy (Germany) had underrated the Britisher's. They (the Germans) thought we indulged too freely in sport, and had become degenerate, but, as a matter of fact, our indulgence in sport had proved one. of the greatest assets to the nation, and our young men had proved themselves fitted to make the best soldiers in the world, as ours was the greatest sporting nation extant. It was when our boys came"to the tight corners that their sporting instincts had stood them in good stead. The exercise of physical development gave us a body of men who, with a mmimuai of training, made excellent soldiers. There was now before New Zealand a big naval and military programmes for the defence of the country, and Mr Shallcrass urged that we could not pursue a better policy than to keep fit by indulging in healthy sp»rts. Personally he did not think it necessary to go in for a great amount of military training. Mr Shallcrass contrasted the sportsmanlike qualities of the British soldiers with - the behaviour of the Huns, and said that if the Sports Protection Xeaguc did no more than inculcate the love of clean sport it was doing a magnificent work in the country. The speaker then Trent on to state that, in addition to the main object of the League, as just stated, they aimed at checking the tendency of a certain section if the community —all knew to whom tie referred—who took up the attitude that there was too much, sport in the country, and were endeavouring to prevent its legitimate extension and indulgence. This section of people took up the attitude that all others should not do so and so, becauso they were opposed to it, and the league claimed that their members had a right to do as they liked. They left other people alone, and wanted the same treatment for themselves. If they were not very careful this extreme section would introduce legislation that would hamper sport in many ways. Mr Shallcrass pointed out that our population was steadily increasing, and sporting privileges should be correspondingly increased. The North Island was not at present enjoying anything like the privileges that they had in.the South, and this was not right. He urged that Otaki should help in the league's good work. They might not wish to secure any particular privilege, but they could be of much use in many ways. He quoted instances where the league had been instrumental in securing amendments to proposed legislation which would have unduly affected golf clubs, bowling clubs and other organisations.- and said the Otaki branch night see that proper provision was made for the future' requirements for recreation purposes in Otaki, which was sure to progress, owing to its many advantages. Touching on boxingi the speaker said the league held that, if properly conducted, bosing was a manly, clean sport, and in Wellington and other parts of New Zeqjand boxing exhibitions had always been conducted excellently. He deprecated the action of the "Wellington City Council in block ing the use of the Wellington Towr Hall some time back, for boxing exhi bitions, saying this showed the lengtt to which some people would go m theu efforts to block legitimate sport, hov the embargo had been removed, and, a: showing the popularity of boxing h stated that there was no trouble what ever to get-a house of 3000 to new i boxing exhibition in Wellington, a charges up to 7s 6d each. It was als one of the functions of the league t see that anti-sportmen should not b elected to Parliament, though th league was not a party political associc tion. They submiited questions to a' parliamentary . candidates, and suj ported men who favoured the interesl of sport. Mr Shallcrass instanced" th drastic and unfair restriction* impose by-the railway authorities in the pas which had so seriously affected the loe; and said the league■ e deavoured to remove such lOHrutoi regulations- -In concluding a lengtl reinfecting .dftw, 3lr Shatoa said he wished the local branch i

success, and trusted they would exercise a" powerful influence in the direction of promoting clean, healthy sport. Election of Officers. The following officers of the local branch were then duly elected: Patron, Mr Ben Ling; president, Mr A. J. B. Isherwood; vice-presidents, Messrs J. H. DUdderidge, J. R- Bills, H. M. J. Nicolson,".Nat. Williams, W. M. Simcox. W.' H. Bowden, M. H. Ayrc, T. H. Parata, W. Hart, and J. W. Hodgson; committee, Messrs H. Palmer, W, Baker, L. J. Kilmis-ter, Penman, and Sie'vcrs; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr O. J. D'Ath. . In answer to *a question, Mr bnalierass said he presumed the scope of the local branch would be from Paekakariki to Manakau. Possibly a branch would be formed at Levin.

The meeting closed with hearty votes of thanks to Mr. Shallcrass for attending and giving such an interesting address; Mr W. Tompsitt for presiding; and Mr O. J. D'Ath for past services as secretary. Mr Isherwood kindly offered a donation of £1 Is, amidst applause.