“STICK TOGETHER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 7

“STICK TOGETHER”

ADVICE FOR CYCLISTS N.Z.A.A.A. WARNING The following- statement lias been issued by Mr. J. C. Stewart secretary of the New Zealand Union of Cyclists, in reply to the recent warning- of disqualification issued to amateur riders competing at the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club’s meeting on December 30, by the council of the New Zea-

land Amateur Athletic Association: “The New Zealand Union of Cyclists is affiliated to the Union Cycliste Internationale, to which the N.Z.A.A.A. is not. The U.C.I. wTI not, then, uphold any disqualification of its affiliated

members by any non-member, or any body not affiliated. The threat of the N.Z.A.A.A. is pure bluff, perpetrated with the idea of making the meeting a failure, and in consternation at the thought of losing the cyclists.

“Concerning Auckland riders, the Manukau Club contains them all, and no body in existence can disqualify them for competing at their own club’s meeting. The professional races have been sanctioned by the Northern Athletic Union, and the Auckland Cycle Club. - “Riders need fear nothing from this threat by the N.Z.A.A.A. Let the riders have confidence in their officials, and no harm can come to them. If, as is extremely unlikely, the U.C.I. does not give preference to the New Zealand Union of Cyclists, then this body as a whole will have to negotiate with the N.Z.A.A.A. Cyclists will at least be in a very strong position, for being united they can get more equitable satisfaction. The question is no mere domestic squabble in Auckland, but is a nation-wide crisis on which depends whether cycling will progress in the future, or whether it will return to obscurity.

“True, there may be some squabbling, but the cyclists need only stick together and victory for them is certain. Races will go on as before and riders will not be deprived of their championship races. The N.Z.U.C. has sufficient support by worthy men to ensure its success.”