THE TENNIS TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6745, 17 February 1909, Page 6

THE TENNIS TROUBLE

DISCUSSED AT SYDNEY NEW ZEALAND'S WISH TO STAND ALONE. DAVIS CUP CONTESTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, February 16. The meeting of tho Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia concluded at a lato hour last night. A lottor was received from tho New Zealand Association announcing its resignation, and asking that its delegates, Messrs Baxter and Barry, might bo heard. Mr Baxter explained that one of New Z-oaland's complaints was tho lack of interest shown by Australians in Dominion tennis. New Zealand, he said, had joined the association with a view to competition in tho Davis Cup, reserving the right to withdraw at any time However, under tho present scheme, Now Zealand was treated merely as a provincial association. She did not think this was fair, and claimed equal national representation with Australia. The only conditions upon which Now Zealand would consent to remain affiliated wore that a council of tho Australian and New Zealand bodies should bo formed for the-' purpose of carrying out international matches, and sanctioning, regulating, and controlling national, intercolonial, and Australasian championships; and that all profits arising from Davis Cup matches should bo equally divided between the governing bodies of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. If Australia did not agree to these terms, the only course open would be for New Zealand to apply for admission as a separate nation, so far as the Davis Cup was concerned. • It was pointed out by Mr Barry that Australia waa represented by twelve and New Zealand by only two delegates, The Dominion, he urged, was entitled to better representation. Tho chairman declared that the resignation took effect from receipt of the previous letter, so that New Zealand was not now represented. The.council resolved, however, to ask the New Zealand delegates to remain while the matter was being discussed. A letter was read from the English Association notifying receipt of New Zealand's application to be regarded as a separate nation, and asking tho Australasian Association to express its views before further steps were taken. Mr Colquhoun contended that tho association was not in a position to discuss an amendment of the constitution till a proposal had been laid before the integral parts of the associations represented. He moved that consideration of New Zealand's suggestion be postponed till that was done. He urged that the rules governing the Davis Cup competition were distinct from those governing the association, and, notwithstanding the decision of New Zealand, the competition could be held in New Zealand if the Australian Association so desired, and the association could ask New Zealand players to participate. The chairman supported this view.

The motion was carried, and it was deoidied to inform the English Association iha.t the terms of New Zealand's proposals were under consideration.

It was decided that the next Davis Cup contest be played 1 in Sydney on a date to be fixed.