DEAL IN TENNIS BALLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 765, 11 September 1929, Page 7

DEAL IN TENNIS BALLS

VICE-PRESIDENT’S OFFER APPROVED HEATED DISCUSSION Lively passages into which an element of heated personal recrimination was introduced, marked a discussion by the Auckland Lawn Tennis Association last evening of the placing of an order for tennis balls ordered for various clubs. The cause of the trouble was the Emergency Committee’s acceptance of a quotation by Mr. E. G. Griffiths, a vice-president, at 20s a dozen for a minimum order of 500 dozen, in preference to the offer of the Retail Sports Traders* Federation to supply requirements on the same terms. The campaign was opened by Mr. IT. G. Thompson, who wanted to know when Mr. Griffiths’s quotation was lodged with the association. The secretary, Mr. Swan, replied that tho first offer from the sports dealers was received on August 2, and Mr. Griffiths’s quotation had come to hand when tho clubs were notifying the association of requirements. Orders had to be submitted by August 30. Commenting upon the fact that a number of the larger clubs had not notified tho association of requirements, Mr. Thomson said that apparently some were not willing to assist tho association to secure the 500. dozen minimum order. The retail sports dealers, ho said, had offered to supply balls at a reduced price for a minimum order of 500 dozen, but that body had met the association when orders for only 350 dozen could be obtained. Now, no effort was being made by the association to play fairly with the sports traders, who had played the game. ‘‘AGAINST PRINCIPLES” “To turn an order over to an official of tho association is against all principles,” protested Mr. Thomson warmly, “and for a vice-president to take such an order is entirely wrong” he added. Lie believed that by rejecting the sports traders’ offer the association was laying itself open to all sorts of difficulties in future. “It will do the association a lot of harm in the eyes of kindred bodies.” continued Mr. Thomson, “and if the association is going to hand over its business to high officials, a bad precedent will be established, and the association will be the laughing stock of New Zealand.” Ho proposed that a committee comprising Messrs. Hickson, Harvey and Lamb should be appointed to negotiate with Mr. Griffiths to endeavour to secure a release from the contract entered into and to enter into negotiations with the Sports Traders’ Association. “t remember some years ago that Mr. Griffiths was one who sponsored a resolution that anyone handling sports goods should not be a member of the association,” added Mr. Thomson. Endorsement of these views was voiced by Mr. Kitchener, who seconded the motion. “It was very indiscreet to accept the quotation; it was not playing John Bull with the sports traders,” lie declared. “Is this a tennis association or a retail snorts traders’ meeting?” challenged Mr. D. G. Macfarlane indignantly. “You’ve no right to say that,” retorted Mr. Thomson hotly. BLOCKED BY TRADERS Mr. Macfarlane went on to recall how three times in the last five years tho retail sports traders had blocked the association from procuring balls at a cheaper price, after the association had each previous year been successful in securing supplies. Last year, 18s 3d a dozen was quoted outside the sports’ dealers, but this year 20s a dozen was offered, despite the fact that there had been a drop of Is in the price at Home. “The time has come,” he claimed, “when not only the Auckland clubs, but th© whole of the clubs in New Zealand will have to stand together to force the retailers to bring the price of balls to a fair basis. We have got to fight and the sooner the clubs get together, the sooner we will have cheaper balls.” Mr. Turner urged th© association to set aside its differences with the sports traders in the past in considering the offer, stating that if it alienated tho dealers’ sympathy, the association would b© “up against it” next year. He appreciated Mr. Griffiths’s efforts to secure cheap balls | for the association, but that was all tho association owed him.

Stating that the terms offered by Mr. Griffiths and the sports traders were the same, Mr. F. C. Ellis asserted that every club bought materials from its members who were dealers. He asserted that Mr. Griffiths had never attempted to make capital out of the association. The sports traders’ treatment of th© association in the last five years was the reason for nonconsideration of their quotation. Replying to the criticism, Mr. Griffiths said that some years, ago when tho association offered 10 per cent, spot cash on indent orders, the sports retailers had quoted 22s 6d a dozen or 22J per cent., which he considered unsatisfactory. “What I’ve done I’m proud of,” he said, “and the fact that th© order was placed with me is really a vote of no-confidence in the retail traders.” He added that balls could b© sold cheaper, but he dare not cut the price. “DISGUSTING FEELING”

“It is disgusting, the feeling that ha.s been displayed by some of the speakers,” declared Mr. E. L. Bartleet. “Judging by their heat they obviously must have some financial interest in the dealers —it is sickening.” This brought an immediate denial from Mr. Thomson, He reiterated that it was wrong for a high official to make a profit out of the association's dealings. Tho motion was overwhelmingly defeated.