LAWN TENNIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1236, 19 September 1911, Page 5

LAWN TENNIS.

DAVIS CUP CONTEST.

DATES FOR CHRIST CHURCH MEETING. By Telegraph—Press Aasociation-Oopyrljht (liec. September IS, 11.10 p.m.) Sydney, September 18. The American Lawn Tennis Association has cabled agreeing to play the final for tho Davis Cup at Christchurch. The association, however, is unable to accept tho proposed dates, viz., December 2D and 30, and January 1, is representatives having to roturn on December 22. Tho Australian' Association is arranging to submit earlier dates.

Tho preliminary for the Davis Cup contest between England and America was played in tho United St.ites last week, and won by the Americans. Tho "Manchester Guardian," discussing the position, recently said: "Courting a storm in Australia, which had been led to believe that an English Davis Cup team would at last set foot in the Commonwealth, the Lawn Tennis Association have arranged to play the international tie on American soil. ... In deciding as they have done, tho L.T.A. are acting strictly in accordance with the rules governing the Davis Cup competition. These declare that the preliminary match shall be played in the territory of the cup-holding .country only when the opposing, sides cannot agree on the venue. England and America wero the opposing sides, and they havo mutually agreed to play in America. Of course tho winner must in duty bound send a challenge team to Australia, or Tather to New Zealand, which has been selected as tho locale for the challenge round. To expect two nations as distant from her shores as England and America to dispatch teams to Melbourne or Sydney for an Anglo-American contest seems on the faco of it absurd. It is a pity the L.T.A. by negative action allowed the idea to grow in the Commonwealth. But then tho Davis Cup competition has never been conducted on a business-like basis. Ono may prediot it never will be until a central international board is created which shall settle rival claims, and if necessary rcviso the existing conditions without fear or prejudice."