TENNIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2428, 17 February 1909, Page 3

TENNIS.

THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION. United Press Association, Copyright SYDNEY, Feb. 16. It lias been decided that the next Davis Cup competition will be played at Sydney, on a date to be fixed. The meeting of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia was concluded tat a late hour. A letter was received from the New Zealand Association, announcing its resignation, and asking that its delegates, Messrs Baxter and Barry, be heard. Mr. Baxter explained that one of ' New Zealand’s complaints was the lack of interest of Australians in Dominion tennis. New Zealand had joined the Association with the view of competing in the Davis Cup, reserving the right of withdrawing at any time. Under the present system New Zealand is treated merely as a provincial association. They did not think this fair, and claimed equal national representation with Australia. The only conditions upon which New Zealand would consent to remain affiliated were that ia Council be formed of Australian and New Zealand bodies, for the. purpose of carrying out the international matches, and sanctioning, regulating, and controlling the .national, international, and Australasian championships, and that all profits arising from Davis Cup matches he 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 as far as the Davis Cup was concerned. Mr. Barry pointed out that Australia was represented by 12 and New Zealand by only two "delegates. The Dominion was entitled to hotter representation. The chairman declared that the resignation took effect from the receipt of the previous letter, so that New Zealand wlas not now represented. The Council resolved, however, to aslc the delegates to remain while the. matter was discussed. A letter was read from the English Association, notifying New Zealand’s application to' be regarded as .a separate nation, arid risking the Australasian Association to express its views before further steps were taken. Mr. Coloci uhon contended that > the Association was not an a position to discuss an amendment till the proposal was . laid • before the integral parts of •the Associations represented. Hie moved that consideration of New Zealand's suggestion be postponed till that Was done. He urged that the rules governing the Davis UuP' be distinct from those governing the as-

so coition, and, notwithstanding the decision of New Zealand, the competition could be held in New Zealand if the Australian Association desired, and the Association could ask New Zealand players to .participate. The chairman supported this view, and the motion was carried. It was decided to inform the English Association that the terms, of New Zealand’s proposal were under consideration.