JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18413, 20 May 1920, Page 5

JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE.

STATEMENT BY AUCKLAND DISP TRICT COMMITTEE.

VICTIMISATION DENIED. [PiCR PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, May 19. In explanation of the difficulty which has arisen in' racing circles, the following letter has been forwarded to the Premier by the chairman of the Auck- . land District Committee (the Hon E. Mitchelson): — 1 ‘ The position has been grossly misrepresented by those controlling the affairs of the Jockeys’ Association to various trades unions, with a view doubtless of getting their sympathetic '"support. ‘ln the first place the suspension of the licenses of certain jockeys has nothing whatever to do with the connection of these jockeys with the Jockeys’ Association. This association has solely to do with racehorse owners (as employers) and jockdvs (as employees); and any differences' as regards employment must be settled between these two elapses in accordance with the procedure fixed by the laws of the land. “As regards the recent suspensions, these have been indicted solely by reason of the deliberate breaches by jockeys of the conditions of their licenses. For, your information I might state that the racing sport is governed by certain bodies under fixed and definite rules. The controlling authority is the Racing Conference, comprising delegates elected by various racing clubs throughout the Dominion, and it constitutes the final court of appeal on all racing questions. This authority controls the actions of racing clubs, owners, trainers and jockeys- The licensing of .trainers and jockeys is delegated to and controlled by the District Committees in the various racing districts, composed of eleven delegates, six of whom represent metropolitan clubs and the remaining five represent and are elected by the country clubs of the district. At the commencement of each racing season this District Committee issues licenses to trainers and jockeys which expire not later than July 31 subsequent to the issue of the license. All licenses are liable to suspension or cancellation by tho District Committees who grant the same, for breaches of the rules of racing, etc. These licenses are issued subject to the observance of these rules of racing, of which all trainers and jockeys are well aware. Seeing that they are printed and available to them. “Now, under these rules it is an offence on the part of a jockey, inter alia (a) to break his riding engagements with an owner, or to incite other jockeys to do so; (b) to refuse to sign any evidence' or statements that he may give or make before any stewards: (c) to refuse or neglect to, attend ‘ meetings of stewards when requested so to do. _ , , “It was reported to, and found by investigation by the Auckland District Committee in the presence. of the jockey charged, that Hewitt on April i() incited and required several jockeys at Avondale to break their racing engagements at the meeting held on that day; that he refused to sign his evidence and statements made by him before the Avondale stewards; that he refused to attend meetings of the Avondale stewards when requested to do so; that Jockey E- C- Rae incited and counselled jockeys at , Avondale to break their racing engagements at the Avondale meeting held on April 10, 1920; that Jockey J. B. O’Shea broke his racing engagements at the Avondale meeting on April 10, 1920, and refused to attend meetings of the Avondale stewards when requested to do

SO. “ For these offences 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 Rules of Racing an_ immediate right of appeal to the Racing Conference. These jockeys have openly and deliberately defied the Rules of Racing and tho conditions under which they have accepted their licenses, and expect their conduct must be passed over unnoticed by the licensing authorities. The Auckland Racing Club’s committee have had nothing whatever to do with the above suspensions. Various trades unions have been absolutely misled by certain officials connected with the Jockeys’ Association who have evidently led them to believe that victimisation had been practised, Find that these jockeys had been punished for their connection with .the Jockeys’ Association. This is absolutely contrary to fact, as can be ascertained bv 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 sots at defiance the rules of his union which he is bound to observe. “ It is interesting to point out that the actions of the Jockeys’ Association are quite contrary to the men’s own registered objects and rules. Under these rules it is provided in effect that its members shall loyally observe their engagements and the conditions of their licenses. Despite this, however, we find certain officials countenancing and advising its members to break not only the terms of their licenses but also to commit a breach of tho association’s own rules. “In conclnsion, I may Ray that 1 cannot see that any conference such as suggested by you will bo of any avail, but 1 think it should be strongly pointed out to the unions that no victimisation has taken place, and that tho dispute of the jockeys with their owners has had nothing whatever to do with recent suspensions Other jockeys who broke their engagements at the Avondale meeting will yet have to be dealt with by the various district committees, who granted them their licenses. I would also like to state that the suspensions have nothing to do with the actions of jockeys on the first day of the Avondale meeting, on April 1, 1020, when the weather conditions were .Very unfavourable.”

LABOUR COMMITTEE’S RESOLUTION. [Pkr Pribs Association.] WELLINGTON, May 19. The "Wellington Labour Representation Committee, to-night passed a resolution—“ That we strongly and unitedly support the Jockeys’ Association in its struggle against a cniel and mean) form of victimisation, to which its members at present are being subjected, and urge all affiliated organisations to do their utmost to assist the transport workers in their efforts to obtain justice for jockeys, and not relax their efforts until the association is recognised by the Racing Conference and its claims agreed to. TVe also congratulate the seamen, and watersiders on refusing to convey racehorses which had been, declare? ‘ blacSf’"”

SECEDERS FROM JOCKEYS’ ASSOCIATION. TO MEET SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD. Sir George Clifford, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, has received the following petition, signed by tiventy-two jockeys:—“ We, the undersigned licensed jockeys, have determined to withdraw from the so-called New Zealand Jockeys’ Association on the ground that we wore led to believe that the association would bo only an association and not a union, and that it would nobbo affiliated with other unions. There are, however, some points on which wo should wish to have amendments to the Rules of Racing; or alterations in some of the customs obtaining on some racecourses, which wo should wish to bring under your consideration. May we ask you to grant us an interview .in order that we may submit to you respectfully the points on aasfiu’ja we •oarniw. tta Nw

Racing Conference might grant us con•‘“““'‘president of -tho N« Zealand Racing Knfereneo ha. sent ae.Mlnwincr reply to each petitionei . In replf to your request for an interview to place before me certain requests I wash to state that I shall be 'e>s « to meet you or any representatives vou mav select from among the £n S cd jockeys. Whatever requests you mav make shall he P laced J H ; before the facing Conference and ceive full consideration. => meet vou for a friendly talk on these subjects. I may explain that "gjeason for declining to confer with tho u Zealand Jockeys’ Association was because I was sure that it did P , sent the true feeling of the .1° ' • A had been led to join it, and .. claimed an interference with *,' racing management winch wo \ been injurious alike to owners, - ers, jockeys and to the public:. , pect to be in Wellington on Saturday May 29, and would be glad to meet any of your number whom you may « 1 for' that purpose, at 9 30 a.m. on that day, at the offices of the A\ elhn„ Racing Club-’’ . , . The president has also received a letter from a prominent jockey, enclosing a list containing the names °t t° r • ‘ three lockers who have resigned _tro the Jockeys’ Association. The signed document, he says, is in the hands _o the secretary of tho Jockeys Association. These signatories also asked bir George Clifford to receive a deputation of jockeys who have resigned from the Jockeys’ Association.