THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14706, 5 June 1920, Page 8

THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

(Pfcr Press Association.) AUCKLANDj June 4. The secretary of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association; (Mr Sheath), in an interview to-niglit, said that it had been reported-that the Jockeys' Association, in "common, with all other unions, was provided with legal means of advancing its claims., This was entirely contrary to fact. There was no law in the Dominion that could compel the Racing Conference to meet tfre as-; = socia'tiori, which has submitted thirty items in -"dispute; to the racing clubs throughout New Zealand and to the Racing' Conference. Even a message from the Prime Minister to Sir-George, Clifford failed to. get the latter to. conr sent. The whole trouble between t«e-. association find the Racing Conference. could be easily rectified<rby -Sir George; Clifford, who is at present in Auckland agreeing to irieet the representatives! ; ot the association for the purpose of dis-r. cussing items iti dispute. The twentythree items in dispute with the owners and ;'•.trainers;, would be discussed on June 10 in Wellington. "We asked Sir George Clifford, "through Mr 'Massey, to have the two lots discussed at the meeting," said Mr Sheath, '.'but Jje refused. I cannot predict what will happen, next." •• y . A statement was made by four prominent horsemen to-night that, as the result of the Tramway "Union's latest move a number of jockeys 'had resigned from the association to-dav. .' « . The president of the Racing Conference (Sir George Clifford), when approached in" regard to Mr Sheath's statement, said: "I do not want to say anything."The local branch of the. Transport Workers' Advisory Hoard has been sit't.ing to-day to consider the tram strike and the jockeys' dispute, representatives of the watersiders, seamen, tramwaymen, drivers and railwaymen being present. The conference broke up late to-riight .and will be resumed tomorrow. •• • The secretary said he had nothing to communicate to the press.- No negotiations for a settlement, had, however, been /commenced. The tramway's union meets to-morrow afternoon.. The position at "a late hour to-night therefore, was that the train strike was still on. No other" sections of the Transport Federation had joined the. strikers | and the jockeys had not indicated any intention ,of * refusing riding engage-' ments to-morrow. The entire suspension of the tramway services continued in Auckland to-day. The present indications are that the citizens may have to do without this great public convenience for a , pro-' traded period, as no disposition has "yet been shown by the City Council on one mde or the Tramway Union on the other to come together in conference in order to endeavor to arrive at a solution of the present deadlock. The services of_Mr Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, have been offered in this -connection. Only the conductors aud motormeii in the tramway service are on strike. None of the other tramway employees have followed their lead, nor. have any of thein been thrown out- of employment in the meantime. Pending a. settlement'of the dispute, which lias deprived them of the trams, the citizens are for the: most part walking to work,, and accepting the position with the -best grace possible. With fine weather conditions their unaccustomed exercise is. not rendered unpleasant, but should the strike be protracted, and the weather change to winter conditions, the public inconvenience will be doubled. Scores of. motor, vehicles have been placed on the road, and residents in the suburbs are patronising them freely, in spite of the fares charged, which are fairly high. The City Council considered the tram strike to-night, and appointed a special committee to deal with the matter, with full power to act. The ..committee sat immediately after "the Council meeting, and subsequently issued the following, statement: —:(l) The tramway service has ceased- to run on account of 'a section of the men having refused; duty yesterday, and the remainder failing to take out their cars this morning at both depots. (2) When the men re-fused-duty yesterday, the Council had no option but tfl-lay up the cars and. give; a week's notice to other employees affected. (3) The Council must insist on retaining control of the service,- and cannot resume the services until this, position is adequately established. (4) The Council in the meantime'is. com-- ' pelled to give a week's notice to all traffic and other employees whose services are not needed, owing to the stop- : page of the tramways. -