SUSPENDED JOCKEYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 119, 19 May 1920, Page 8

SUSPENDED JOCKEYS.

MR. MITCHELSON EXPLAINS. N"0 VICTIMISATION. JCX-KEY« HATE lUIHT OF API'EAL. Tn evpianation of the difnVuhv which ha*, ari.-cn in racing circles tlie following loiter has hem forwarded to the Premier (ihe Rt. lion. \V. F. Maeecy) l>v the eh&i'mnn of the Auckland District Committee I Hon. Edwin Mitchelson): "The position !m- lieen misrepresented by tlnve. con troll ing the affairs of lit.-' .10.-kry* , Association to the various Trades I'nions, with a ■. iew doubtl.ss of getting their sympathetic mippurt. In the ,'irr.t place- the suspension of the licensee of certain jockey's IIIJS nothing whatever 1 n do with the connection of these jockeys with the .TorkcvH , .Vf,?ociat.ion. This association hus solely to ilo with racehorse owners fas employers 1 and jnckevß (as employees), ami any differences as regards employment must bo settled between fhese two classes in accordance with the procedure fixed by the Inwa of the land. As repard-. the recent suspensions, these have I'pcii inflicted solely by reason of deliberate breaches by the jockeys of the conditions of their license?. HOW r.ACINC; IS GOVERNED. "For your information I miaht state that the raeinjr sport U jrovertied by certain bodies under flved uiul defined rules. Tho controlling mi.t'iontv is the Racing Conference, comprising delegates elected by ihe varini** racing club* throughout the Dominion, and eonsti tntes the final court of appeal on all racing quceiion*. This authority control the actions of racing elnh<. owner-, trainers, and jockeys. The iio.-nping of trainers and jockeys deleEfPtfd to and controlled by district committees in the various racing districts composed of 11 delegates, six of whom represent the metropolitan club*, and the remaining five represent mid are elected by the country clubs of the district. *'At the commencement of each racing season this district committee issues licensee to trainers and jockey", whicli expire not later than July HI subsequent to the issue of the license. All licensee are liable to suspension or cancellation hy the district committee who jrront the samp for brenelies of the Rules of Racing , , ere. Theee licensee uro issued subject to the observance of theee Rules of Racing, of which ail trainers and Jockeys nre well aware, seeing they are printed and available to them. Now, under these rules it is nn offence on the part of a jockey, inter alia:—<a) To brenlc his riding with - an owner or to incite other jockeye to j do 60. (b) To refuse fo s:,n;n any cvi- j dence nr statements tiiaC he may five or make before any stewards. Ie) T'i j refuse, or neglect to attend meetings of stewards when requested so to do. THE OFFENCES. "Tt was reported to and found by investigation by the Auckland "District Committee, in the presence of the jockeys cbarprcd. that Jockey Hewitt, on tile 10th April, excited and required several jockeys, at Avondalc to break their racin;; engagement* at the meeting held on th:ir day: that he refused to sifrn lug evidence and statement made by him before the Avondalc steward?, and that he refused tn attenrf mcettajjf! of the Avondale stewards when requested to do so: that Jockey E. C. Rae incited and counselled jockeys at Avondale to break their racing i-nfriifTcmcnts i , I the .Avondalc meeting lield nn the 10th April, 1020; and that. .loekry J. I!. O'.Sben broke his racing engagements at the .Avondalc meeting on the Kith April. li) 20. and refused to nttend meetinpa of rlio Avondale stewards | when requested to do so. 1

"For these offence,-., and for these alone, the District Committee decided to suspend these jockeys'- licenses for the balance of the racing' season. If they are aggrieved at this decision they have, under the ftulr , ? of Racinft. an immediate right of appeal to the Racing Conference. These jockeys have openly "and deliberately defied the Rules of Racing and the conditions under which (hoy liaro accepted their licenses, and expect their conduct must, be passed over unnoticed by the licensing authority. TRADES UNIONS MISLED. "The Auckland Racing Club' 3 committee have had nothing whatever to do with the above suspensions. The various trades onions have been absolutely misled by eartain officials connected. with the Jockeys' Association, who have evidently led them to believe that 'victimisation' had been practised, and that these jockeys had been punished for their connection with the Jockeys' Association. This is absolutely contrary to fact, as can be jHcertained by any official of such unions who cares to dispassionately investigate the position. The position is quite analogous to a trades union dealing with one of its members who deliberately sets at defiance the rules of his cnion, which he ie bound t° observe. "It is interesting to point out that the actions of the Jockeys' Association are quite contrary to its own registered objects and rules.- Under these rules it is provided in effect that its members en»ii loyally ooserve tneir engagements and thn conditions of their licenses. Despite this, however, we find certain officials countenancing and advising its members to break not only tho terms of their licenses, but also to commit a breach of the Association's own rules. NO VICTIMISATION. "In conclusion I may say that I cannot see that any conference such as suggested by you will be of any avail, but I think that it should be stronglj' pointed out to tbe unions that no 'victimisation' has taken place, and that the dispute of the jockeys with their owners has hod nothing whatever to do with the recent suspensions. "Other jockeys who broke their engagements at the Avondale meeting will yet have to be dealt with by the various dis. trict committees who granted them their licenses. I would also like to state that the suspensions have nothing to do with the actions of the jockeys on the first day of the Avondale meeting, 7th April, 1920, when the weather conditions were very unfavourable."