A Near Impasse

NZ Truth, Issue 1272, 17 April 1930, Page 17

A Near Impasse

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) "THREATENING the calm atmosphere of ■V New Zealand golf is a large-sized crisis due to the unexpected demands of the New South Welshmen who arrived here for the Kirk-Windeyer Cup match that New Zealand play through the draw. As holders of the Cup there -was some color of right m what * was demanded by Dr. Sydney Jones, team captain of the visitors, but the blunt ultimatum came as a bombshell to the. New Zealand Golf Council. With the Australians here the only- way out of & most awkward situation was for New Zealand to agree to play off with Victoria for right to contest the final; . ■ f But the New South Wales attitude, it is an open secret, has imperilled the future of the Cup. Presented by the late Mr. R. Clement Kirk, .for many years chairman of the N.Z. Golf Council In conjunction with Mr. Wlndeyer, of New South Wales, the trophy was originally intended to be for an annual match between New Zealand and that Australian State. When other Australian States joined m, it was arranged that they should play off for the privilege of meeting the Dominion m the final. •For two of the first three years of the contest this course was followed, though the last time that the match was held

m New Zealand, New South Wales was the only team to make the crossing. The mistake made was that the rules were not put into writing and the matches were conducted under what was more or less a gentlemen's agreement. This was what has made the imbroglio possible! The plain fact emerges from the unfortunate business Is that unless rules are framed and signed, New Zealand Is unlikely to proceed with yearly contests. It Is certain, too, • that those rules must be to the Dominion's liking. The Kirk-Windeyer Cup was conceived as ah international contest. The alteration enforced by New South Wales if permanent, would rob it of much of its international flavour, and may rob it of New Zealand altogether.