SUPPLY OF TENNIS BALLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 November 1943, Page 6

SUPPLY OF TENNIS BALLS

DISCUSSION BY N.Z. COUNCIL Wellington, This Day. The most important question discussed at the quarterly meeting of the council of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association in Wellington last night was the supply of balls. The report stated that since the annual meeting approval had been given for the release of further rubber to provide balls for the armed forces, leaving 5000 dozen, balls entirely for civilian purposes. These were apportioned between the association and the Council of Sport on the basis of 1942 membership. Mr A. G. Henderson, chairman of the management committee, said that as the manufacturing company in Auckland had only produced 380 dozen balls in about a month the prospects of many associations getting a supply of any balls appeared remote.

Mr S. Cleal, president of the Auckland association, explained the difficulties the company had had to face through the shortage of labour. The Auckland association had received permission to employ its own members, but the union objected. This difficulty had been eventually got over. The company and the Auckland association were doing everything possible to produce balls. The position would be eased if the services were to arrange to obtain their supplies from other sources.

Dr. N. A. Foden said there was going to be a tremendous amount of dissatisfaction over the supply of balls, and unless the association became assertive the position would become absurd. It was eventually decided to send a deputation to the Minister of Supply on the subject.

A recommendation from the Canterbury association to the effect that New Zealand junior championships be held during the coming year was lost by 10 votes to 9.

There was a diversity of opinion on the question, several delegates urging that the junior players should be catered for. but the consensus of opinion was that no championships should be held while the war was in progress. The management committee gave notice that it would move at the February meeting that a capitation fee for the 1943-44 season be levied. A lengthy discussion took place on the question of whether the association should affiliate with the New Zealand Council of Sport. Mr Cleal (Auckland) moved that the association should affiliate, the motion being seconded by Mr. K. Hayr (Auckland). An amendment, moved by ‘Dr. Foden. and seconded by Mr W. J. Melody, to the effect that the question of affiliation be deferred till the Council of Sport had finally adopted its constitution, was carried by a large majority. The president of the association, Mr J. T. McDonald, presided over an attendance of 18 delegates.