No boycott planned

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33654, 2 October 1974, Page 8

No boycott planned

("The Press” Special Service) AUCKLAND. There was no move by jockeys to boycott qualifying and barrier trial meetings, the secretary of the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, Mr G. C. McVeigh, said this week, “The association will, however, make an application in a day or two to the Racing Conference for the payment of a fee for riding at trials,” he said, Mr McVeigh and the president of the association, Mr N. Holland addressed jockeys at Paeroa on Saturday. The jockeys were told that the application for riding fees would be made. "There was no discussion on the amount to be sought,” said Mr McVeigh, “but it was pointed out that many people were responsible for the successful conduct of qualifying and barrier trials, but jockeys alone were at present giving their services without reward." Mr McVeigh said approaches had been made over several years for the payment of a riding fee, but the present application was being made with more optimism than in the past. Mr Holland described as ' nonsense” reports of strikes and boycotts concerning the Avondale trials tomorrow.