JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18412, 19 May 1920, Page 7

JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

TRANSPORT WORKERS' ACTION. RACING DECLARED " BLACK." [Per Paiiss Association.] WELLINGTON, May 18. At a special meeting to-day of the New Zealand Transport Workers' Advisory Board, a resolution was unanimously carried declaring " black " the New Zenlnnd Racing Conference, all racing clubs, racecourses, racehorses, racehorso stables, and all material in connection with racing in Now Zealand; demanding the immediate reinstatement of Hewitt, Rao and O'Shea in their positions as jockeys before further uegotiation; and then full and proper recognition of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association and its officials as representing Che jockeys of New Zealand, Until this is carried out ail members' of the working class are- strongly urged to keep off all racecourses.

TRADES HALL RESOLUTION

A meeting of tho local committee set up as the result of last Friday evening's meeting at the Trades Hall, in connection willi tho jockeys' dispute, was" held yesterday at the Trades Hall. Mr b\ M. Robson (president or the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council) prosided, and others present wore Messrs H. Hunter, H. T. Armstrong, F. 0. Ellis, H. Worrell, F. R. Cooke, E. Keys, 11. D. Martin. W. J. Green, N. Orion and C. Renn (convener). Mr Renn reported that a number of jockeys and apprentices had been approached on Saturday last, and had been urged to sign a sheet containing a statement that they desired to resign from membership of tho New Zealand Jockeys' Association. They had boon informed that they would be given all that they were asking if they would leave tho association. In the case of apprentices they were told that they had bettor obey orders and sign off. Undoubtedly great pressure had been brought to boar on the boys. Tho following resolution was carried unanimously :—" This meeting of representatives of organised Labour in Canterbury expresses it 3 disgust at the aotion of certain so-called ' sportsmen' on Saturday Inst and during the holding of the Royal meeting in exerting pressure on and using threats towards jockeys and apprentices in order to compel them to resign from membership of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association. Tho Jockeys' Association is a legally registered body, and its officers aro striving to improve the deplorable conditions under which many of its members work. The owners aro entrenched behind tho powerful New Zealand Racing Conference, which body exercises a despotic influence over the lives of jockeys and apprentices. The New Zealand Racing Conference has powers which override the laws of tho Dominion. The action of the owners in exerting pressure on members of tho New Zealand Jockeys' Association before the dispute between the parties has been heard, and while the matter is in the hands of the Conciliation Commissioner, is a distinct breach of the law under which the dispute is to be heard. We desire to assure tho members of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association that we heartily support them in their struggle for better conditions. We earnestly call the attention of trade unionists to the insidious attack made by the owners on the workers' right to organise, and we invito the co-oporation and assistance of all unionists in support of the jockeys. We note with approval the action of tho seamen and watersidersin refusing to transport horses, and pledge ourselves to support them in nnv further action deemed necessary." It is generally believed in Labour circles that if tho officials do not reinstate the three North Island jockeys now under suspension further action by unionists genorally is certain.