LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22910, 18 June 1936, Page 13

LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION

CLUBS OBJECT TO LEVY

REQUEST FOR SUSPENSION A special meeting of the Otago Lawn Tennis Association was held lost night for the purpose of discussing the question of club levies, and to enable the clubs to place the financial position before the meeting. Mr W. R. Sinclair presided, and delegates were present from most ot the affiliated clubs. The meeting was called as the result of a resolution passed by the Caversharn, Opoho, Tainui, St. Peter’s, St. Patrick’s, St. Andrew’s, and St. Clair Clubs. The chairman said the meeting had been called more especially to discuss the financial position of clubs. The delegates were there as a body to make proposals, and it was assumed they were present with one object—for the good of lawn tennis generally. , , Mr J. M'Naulty (Caversharn Club) said many of the clubs affiliated to the association had held meetings lately to consider the financial position of each club. The main cry. however, was the charge of 4s made as a levy. It was thought that the members of clubs were not getting any benefit from the levy. Most of the clubs had been losing members during the Inst few years. These members were mainly joining the Lawn Tennis Union. His club was paying 10s a year to keep the teams going. _ The clubs wished to know if the association would assist the clubs in any way.

In reply to a question, Mr M'Naulty said the clubs bad looked at the question in every way. The delegates bad considered the possibility of the association giving relief on the lines of the St. Clair Golf Club, by arranging to give debenture holders two years’ relief. This would allow the clubs to get on their feet again. About 90 per cent, of players had left clubs to join the union, where they could play tennis more cheaply. There must be some reason for this. Several young players had stated that they were getting much cheaper tennis by joining the union. The chairman said the association knew that a number of clubs were in arrears. Last year, however, all the subscriptions were paid, and the was not aware of any club being in difficulties. A delegate’ said the whole point seemed to be bow to get cheaper lawn tennis. That apparently was the crux of the whole point. The individual clubs did not want the levy to be reduced. The dubs, however, wanted financial assistance. The point was could the association reduce the levy for the betterment of lawn tennis and players generally. Mr A. M'Millan said the courts at Logaij Park cost over £(1000. and the levy was used to pay off this sum. The association bad paid off about £3OOO, principally through the payment of the 4s levy and other sources. If the 1100 members of the Lawn Tennis Union were

absorbed by the Otago Association, they would gain no advantage. Members ot the Otago Association gained many advantages that union players did not receive. The association was receiving £2OO from the levy, and the debentures were being paid off each year. The associations position could not remain stationary. It was the desire to lay down new courts. If the 4s levy was reduced it would be a serious matter for the association and detrimental to tennis players. Many young players wanted to know what the association was doing. He could say that there was no body in Dunedin which spent money to such advantage as the Otago Lawn Tennis Association. He wished to point out that the association desired to be considerate to all the clubs. In the face of things, he could not see how tlie levy could be reduced. The chairman said the day was coming when all the courts at Logan Park would have to be top-dressed and the buildings repaired. This would cost money, and he could not see how the association could assist the clubs, Those clubs which sought relief should make some proposal, instead of leaving the matter to a few. It would be better for delegates to make a definite proposal so that this could be discussed and a vote then taken on it. Mr M'Naulty said it appeared that the meeting had discussed the question for one hour and a-half and yet nothing definite had been reached. If no help was forthcoming, then he was of the opinion that the association would suffer. The chairman said some finality of the discussion could be reached if the delegates voted for or against a proposal for a reduction in the levy. If this was done it would let the association know exactly where it stood. If no proposal was made there was no need to continue the meeting any longer. After several motions and amendments had been proposed and rejected by the delegates it was decided, on the motipn of Mr E. Swete. that those clubs in difficulty be requested to submit statements of their financial position to the association executive with a request that the levy be suspended for one year.