BUDGE AND MAKO IN DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 23438, 19 February 1938, Page 8

BUDGE AND MAKO IN DOMINION

INDIGNATION CAUSED BY DEMANDS PROPOSAL TO CHALLENGE AMATEUR STATUS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 17. The citcumstances under which the United States tennis players, Donald Budge, the world champion, and Gene Mako, appeared in the New Zealand championship meeting recently have stirred Auckland officials to indignation and it is proposed to challenge the amateur status of the players. Arrangements had been made for the Americans to appear at the tournament on their way back from Australia to America. On the Saturday before the arrival of the ship in which they were travelling Mr H. N. Burns, who was then visiting Auckland to manage the New Zealand tournament, received a radio message from the Americans demanding £2O each for Budge and Mako by way of additional expenses for their appearance at Auckland. To keep faith with the public the New Zealand officials, although of opinion that the demand was exorbitant, complied under protest with the demand, as there was not time to get in touch with the American Association. Auckland officials view the demand as a possible breach of the amateur rule and the qugstion is expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the management committee of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association with the possibility of referring it to the United States Association for a ruling. QUESTION OF TENNIS PLAYERS’ EXPENSES AUSTRALIAN OPINION OF BUDGE AND MAKO (Received February 18, 6.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 18. Harry Hopman’s view of the demand made by J. D. Budge and C. G. Mako, the American tennis players, for £2O for expenses at Auckland is that they made a definite breach of the amateur rule. He adds:

“It is quite possible that they collected appearance money on behalf of the United States Lawn Tennis Association, which they represented. However, I prefer to await Budge’s return home and to hear his version before making a final judgment.” J. H. Crawford, writing in The Daily Telegraph, says that as manager of the United States tennis team Budge was quite within his rights in asking for appearance money, or expenses, from the New Zealand Association. That money would be paid to the United States Lawn Tennis Association. The tour of Budge and Mako was a business arrangement between the United States association and the Australian association. Appearance money and expenses for games in Auckland then became a matter for Budge, as manager, to adjust with the New Zealand authorities. That was the practice followed by all touring tennis teams.