N.Z. Wrestling Association

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1073, 10 September 1930, Page 13

N.Z. Wrestling Association

DECISION TO CARRY ON “Wake Up!” Says Mr. Hugh Mackenzie UNANIMOUS confidence in the executive was expressed by members of the New Zealand Wrestling Association at a special general meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening for the purpose of receiving a report from the executive concerning wrestling in New Zealand.

Mr. G. Henning, the president, who was in the chair, said the meeting - had been called so that members could hear the report from the executive regarding wrestling in the Dominion and the formation, of an opposition body. "We probably have had our shortcomings,” he said, “and our secretary, Mr. C. B. McCarthy, perhaps has been a little lax in answering correspondence, but that is no excuse for the formation of the opposition body in Wellington. This association linanced tho Wellington Association and put wrestling on its feet. Wrestling in Now Zealand was dead until a few years ago, when a few sports got together and started the New Zealand Wrestling Association to foster amateur wrestling, and also to promote professional bouts.** continued Mr. Henning, going on to trace the history of the sport in the Dominion. ‘ lou will like to know what has happened since the other body got going, and I will ask Mr. Heady to put the position before you.” “On January 23 a letter was sent to Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin regarding a conference for the purpose of putting wrestling under proper control t hr o U gh out New Zealand,” said Mr. \v. 11. Ready, “but no advice was received except from Palmerston North and Dunedin, which stated they welcomed the conference. On June *2B another letter was sent offering a reasonable sum to enable delegates to attend a conference in Wellington. On July 8 a letter was received from the new union stating that it was convening a conference in Wellington, but it didn t have the courtesy to answer our letter. “SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED US” “Our secretary has done good work for tho association, yet at the same time he should have notified us of that conference,” continued Mr. Ready, "p- Connelly sent a letter up on the Monday that the conference was held advising us of the meeting, at which we were not represented. Eater it was decided to approach the secretary of the new union in Auckland, but he told us to go to Wellington. so we sent a deputation down there, where a statement was made that the union would not have taken the course it did if it had known the facts. On returning to Auckland, he said, the local union was again approached and the secretary offered to take in 25 of tho association’s members and four of tho council subject to them obeying the union’s rules, but the reply was that the association would not consider the proposal if all the members were not admitted. Mr. Ready went on to make similar statements to those when he addressed the Returned Soldiers’ Association executive, and made a further attack on Tom AJtiey. “The Returned Soldiers’ Association gave an assurance that if no compromise is effected it will disassociate itself with wrestling,” he said. ‘‘lt is a matter for regret that a number of our members have joined the other body,” he continued, “and some of them have been working against us. I say that they are not fit and worthy men to have on our association and they should resign. We will have wrestlers here, and we will get them for you. We have binding contracts, but we cannot disclose them now. While the deputation was in

Wellington the Minister of Internal Affairs gave an assurance that no body would be given control of wrestling in New Zealand without the consent of the parent body.” Mr. E. A.'-Craig: Are any of those members referred to Jby Mr. Ready hero tonight? There are generally two sides to a question, and they should bo given an opportunity to speak. The report was adopted unanimously. CONFIDENCE IN EXECUTIVE Mr. Craig: I came to this meeting with an open mind and I was hoping to hear something from the other side. I move that the meeting express its entire confidence in the present executive. Mr. J. H. Kinnear: There are no representatives of the other body here. Mr. H. Rj Mackenzie: I will second tho motion. The motion was carried without dissent. Mr. S. Austin Carr: I think we should hear the views of those members who are working against us and who I know are here tonight. They are stabbing us in the back and I think they should be shown up. Mr. W. E. Grant: They’re not gam* enough. Mr. Robertshaw: Why have not the new rules been given to members as promised before last February? Not one per cent, of the members here tonight knows the rules. Mr. Henning: You will have them before the next annual meeting. Mr. Mackenzie: By simply going to sleep the executive lias allowed interlopers to come in. We put wrestling on the map and we should ignore any other bodies. The committee should wake up. Do your stuff and you can wipe the others out. Mr. H. 13. Warner: If think members should appreciate what we have done whatever the faults of one or two. W® have got nothing to be afraid of in our efforts to put wrestling on the map Mr. Henning: In reply to Mr. Mackenzie 1 would like to say we have r.ot been asleep. We have approached Parliament to get wrestling put under similar control to boxing, but each time wo have met with opposition in the House. What has happened now would, not have happened if we had got control. At the present time any reputable person can put on wrestling bouts and will be able to do so until there is control. Mr. Henning added that at a meeting last year at which he was present. Tom Alley had expressed dissat if action and clainied that he could find numbers of persons to back him to put on wrestling bouts. T told him to get out and do so,” said Mr. Henning, “and i lie has got f but and done so and what i has happened is- the result of that.” Mr. Robertshaw: Could you tell us when tlio next match is likely to come off ? Mr. Henning: I cannot answer that now. Mr. V. Salck: I understand that the letter from Wellington regarding the conference was here a week before the time. Why did we not know of that? Mr. Henning: I do not say that we have not been to blame in some things. Our secretary may have thought there was no hurry. Mr. Mackenzie: I say the committee should wake up. Mr. Craig: I rise to a point of order. I Mr. Mackenzie has acceded to a motion of confidence in the executive and now he rises to tell it to wake up. Mr. Mackenzie: I have the utmost confidence In the executive, but again , I say “wake up!”