First try this:
Code:
$ locate libz.a
/usr/lib/libz.a
Then:
Code:
$ nm /usr/lib/libz.a | grep deflate
You should see something like:
00001c00 T deflate
If that is there, then you'll have to debug the configure script. Your options are run it with a sh -x ./configure or just vi the file then search for the error text and then attempt to recreate the test program and compile line.