LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 434, 17 February 1909, Page 7

LAWN TENNIS.

MEETMG OF THE ASSOCIATION. NEW ZEALAND SECEDES. THE DAVIS CUP CONTESTS. (BT IELEOItirH—ntESS ASSOCIATIOM—copxnionT.) . ; " Sydnsy, February 10. Tho meeting of the Lawn Tennis- Association of Australasia concluded at a luto hour last night. ■ ;)' ■- . .- - '-' :; ;' , A ;lettor,,was received from tlie Now Zealand Association,' Announcing its resignation, arid; asking that its delegates (Messrs Baxter arid Barry) might lie heard. ; i,,

Mr. Baxter explained that one of New Zealand's, complaints was.the lack of interest shown.'iby: Australians. in ; Dominion tennis. New. Zealand,'he said, had joincd the association with View, to competition in the Davis Cup,, (reserving tho right to withdraw at any time. However, under tho present scheme, New Zealand : was treated merely as ■&: provincial association, .: 'She did not think\this whs fair, arid:claimed equal national representa-. tion with Australia. , The . only conditions upon which; Now Zealand would consent to remain affiliated wcro that a council of the Australian and Now Zealand bodies,should bo formed for the- purpose of carrying out ternatio'nal matches,-and sanctioning, regulate ing, and- controlling national, intercolonial, and -Australasian championships; and that all profits arising from Davis Cup matches should be "equally divided .between tho governing bodies of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. .If Australia did not agree to these terms, 1 : tho only oourso open would bo for Now. Zealand to : apply : foradmission .as ~a separate nation, so far as the: Davis' Cup was concerned. ; V - -

Mr. Barry pointed out that Australia was represented by twelve and Now Zealand by only.two,delegates. The Dominion, he urged, was ; to better representation. The chairman 'declared' that tlio resignation took effect from receipt-of.' tlto previous lotter, so that New Zealand was not now' represented... . . . •' 1 •';. The council resolved, however, to ask the :Now Zealand delegates to remain 'while; the matter was being discussed. : •■■„. ';■ ' : '>rA; letter was read from tho Ehglish,Association,'.notifying receipt of New Zealand's .ap- : plication to be regarded as a 'separate natioii; and asking ; the : Australasian Association- to■ express itsi-views boforo further steps were taken. .. .- ■ — ;: Mr. Colquhonn f contended that tho association was. not inVa position .'to discussan; ■ amendment of tho constitution till a proposal had .fen laid;before .tho.vintegral -parts' of the associations represented. Ho moved that consideration of Now Zealand's suggestion bo postponed till that was done. Ho urged that ' tho rules; governing tho Davis Cup. competition woro distinct from those governing tho : association;' and, notwithstanding the decision of New Zealand;"-.the competition could 60 held in Nerf ; Zealand if the Australian Assoclatiori bo. desired, and' the . association could ask' Now Zealand pjayers to. participate. ' . Tho chairman supported this view. '■ Tho motion was carried, and it was decided to inform tho English Association that; the terms of New Zealand's proposals wore under consideration. ;;'v It was decided that tho next Davis .Cup contest bo played in Sydney on a date to bo' fixed. V