LAWN TENNIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 218, 14 September 1928, Page 8

LAWN TENNIS

KILLING THE SPORT POSITION IN FRANCE. HEAVY TAXATION BLAMED. The French tennis authorities contend that the sport of tennis is being killed in France owing to the French Government’s heavy taxation. At the Seine tribunal the French Tennis Federation had judgment given against it, and the federation had to pay a fine of 291,520 francs (at present rates of exchange about £2350) to the French Treasury. The ease was the outcome of the refusal of the federation to pay taxes levied under the heading of music halls, theatres, and othpr entertainment places. It had been before the Cour', for severe! months, and it was a coincidence that the decision, which tennis officials say may ruin tennis in France, was handed down on the day when two Frenchmen were fighting for supremacy in the final at Wimbledon. The French Federation demurred at payment, claiming that tennis receipts came under the law of 1920 exempting from taxation the gate receipts of organisations with the aims of developing sports and physical education, as military preparation. The Court ruled that tennis failed to fulfil the lastnamed, stressing the fact that women are perfectly able to play tennis while they are unable to serve as soldiers. President Canet, of the French Federation, countered with the Wimbledon match between Laeoste and Tilden, consisting of five terrific sets, and added that certainly Tilden and Lacoste were both mentally and physically equipped to be the best soldiers of any army in the world. President Canet was shaken by the decision, and declared that it was a terrible blow to tennis.

“To think,”' he said, “that this comes when France has placed five men out of the last eight and three in the semi-finals inwhat is considered the world’s championship at Wimbledon.”

Several clubs in Northern France have already closed down, and others are likely to follow suit. The question is now being asked as to where will the young players of France be developed so as to take the place of the present French stars. President Canet threatened to hold the Davis Cup challenge round at Wimbledon if the judgment went against the federation, and when asked about his decision, his reply was a question as follows: “What would France look like in the eyes of the tennis world? No, we must stage the challenge round here.”

He said that a special invitation would bo sent to the Judge who gave the decision, and it was hoped that after he had watched Tilden, Laeoste, and Cochet play, he would change his mind about tennis not being fit preparation for military service.