JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10640, 13 July 1920, Page 5

JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE

TROUBLE ON THE MOKOIA SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD REFUSED A FASSAGE. FIREMEN' STAND FIRM. TEJB TRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, July 12. Sir George Clifford, president of the New Zealand Rating Conference, had booked a passage for Wellington by the Alokoia to-night, but the firemen declined to go to sea with him and Mr Rutherford on board. When Sir George Clifford was told of the firemen's attitude his first inclination was to stay on the ship and let matters take their course, but, on second thoughts he decided to go ashore and save trouble on account of the many passengers on board who had important reasons for travelling. As Sir George Clifford left the ship the passengers cheered him, the firemen making a counter-demonstration. Apparently the firemen declined to sail with Sir George Clifford and Mr Rutherford for the reason that they are racehorse owntfs, but there appears to be some mistake about Mr Rutherford, for it is understood that no member of the Canterbury racing family of that name was on board tho Mokoia. It looks as if Sir George Clifford will not be able to preside at the New Zealand Racing Conference at Wellington on Thursday, when one of the principal items of business is the consideration of the jockeys’ dispute and tho best moans of effecting a settlement. "LOSING A GOOD FRIEND.” A later message stated: As Sir George Clifford left tho Mokoia tho firemen shouted out "You will never travel by this boat or any other Union Company boat,” followed by a count-ing-out. ■ The men walked along the deck as Sir George proceeded up tho wharf, “If you only knew it you are losing son© of the best friends you have,” Sir George remarked to one group. Sir George lifted his hat to the crowd as he finally left tho wharf, and with his daughter returned to Christchurch.