Squash Rackets In Danger

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28630, 5 July 1958, Page 5

Squash Rackets In Danger

The present increase in interest in squash rackets in Canterbury is in grave danger of being discouraged through the Government’s policy of restrictions on imports. The restrictions are hitting most severely the import of squash balls and, judging by reports from local sports goods firms, there will very soon be no balls available in Christchurch.

Of eight such firms approached recently, no fewer than seven had completely sold out of squash balls. All reported that they had used their allocation of exchange for the season, and that no further supplies could be expected this year. The trouble arises from the basing of the 1958 import quota on the imports for 1956. In Christchurch in 1956. there were probably not more than 20 playing squash rackets, and a few dozen balls satisfied them for the season.

Courts Planned In the meantime, there lias been a tremendous increase in interest in the sport. A public club has been formed, with plans to build two courts on its own property in the near future. This club has already a membership of more than 100, mostly players new to the game, who recognise its worth for general physical fitness, as well as for competitive play. So many players could not exist upon a proportion of the balls used in Christchurch in 1956.

The sporting goods firms report that the agents for the balls in New Zealand have been unsuccessful in their attempts to gain additional licences. There are no squash balls made in this country. One local sporting goods firm will attempt to import further balls under its own allocation, but these would not arrive for several months, even if the attempt was successful.