THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17940, 20 May 1920, Page 8

THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S EXPLANATION.

(Pkb Unitkd Pkkß3 Association.)

AUCKLAND, May 19. In oxpkuation of tho difficulty which has arisen in racing circles tho iouowiug letter has been forwarded to ttie Prime Minister by the chairman of the Auckland J>iatrict (xnnmittee (the Hon. E. Mitchelson). "The poeitioa has been grossly misrepresented by those controlling Uio affairs of tho Jockoye' Aeeooiatiou to the various trades unions, with a view, doubtless, o£ geting th«ir sympathetic support. In the li-i*t place tho suspension of the licenses of certain jockeys has nothing whatever to do with tho connection of tlieso jockeys with tho Jockeys' Association. This association has solely to do with racehorse owners (as oinnloyers) and jockeys (as employees), and any diilerencee as regards employment must bo eettled between thes© two classes in accordance with the procedure lixed bg laws of tho land. As rogards recent suapensions tliese have been inflicted solely by reason of deliborato breaches by jockeys of the conditions of their licenses.

"For your information I might state that racing sport ia governed by certain bodies under fixed and definito rules. • Tho controlling authority ie in the Racing Conference, comprising delegates elected by the various racing clubs throughout tlie dominion and constitutes tho tinal court of appeal on all racing questions. This authority controls the actions of racing Clubs, owners, trainers, and jockeys, j<The licensing of trainers and of jockeys- is delegated to, and controlled by, district committeea in tho various racing districts, composed of 11 delegates, six of whom represent metropolitan elube, and tho remaining fivo represent and are elected by tho country clubs of the district at the commencement of each racing season. This District Committee issues licenses to trainers and jockeys, which expko not later than July 31. Subsequent to issue erf tho license all licenses are liable to suspension or cancellation by tho District Committee, who grant eanio for breaches of the rules of racing, etc. These licenses aro issued subject to- the observance of these rules of racing, of which all trainers and jockeys are well aware, seeing they aro printed and available to them now under these rules. It is &n offence on the part of a jockey, inter alia: I (a) To break his riding engagements with an owner or to incito other jockeys to do so. (b) To refuse to sign any evidence of statements that he may give or make befdro 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 tho presenco of the jockeys charged that the jockey Hewitt, on April 10, excited 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 the statement made by him before the Avondale stewards; that he refused to attend meetings of the Avondale stewards when requested to do so; that the jockey E. C. Rao incited and counselled the jockeys at Avondale to break their racing engagements at the Avondale meeting held on April 10, 1920; that the jockey J. B. O'Shea brok-e his racing engagements at the Avondale meeting on April 10, 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 ogfrrieved at this decision they 4»ve, under the Rides of Racing, the immediate right of appeal to the Racing Conference. These jockeys have openly and deliberately defied the Rules of Racing and the conditions under which they have accepted their licenses, and expect that their conduct must be passed over unnoticed by tho 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, and that these jockeys had been punished for their connection "'with the Jockeys' Association. This is absolutely contrary to _ fact, as can bo ascertained by any official of such unions who cares to dispassionately investigate tho position. The position is quite analogous to a trades union dealing with one of its members who deliberately sets 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 obiects and the rules. Under these rules it is provided, in effect, that its members shall loyally observe their engagements ftnd tho conditions of their engagements and 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 tne association's own rules. In conclusion, I may say I cannot see that any conforonco such as is suggested by you will be of any avail; but I think it'should be strongly pointed out to the union that no victimisation has taken place, and that the dispute of the jockeys with their owners has had nothing whatever to do with the recent suspensions. Other jockeys who broke their engagements at Avondale meeting. Will yet have to bo dealt with by the various district, committees who granted them their licenses. I would'also like to state that the.susnonsions have nothing to <o with *e notions of the jockeys otT the first Anv of the Avondale meeting on April I, v.hpn the weather conditions were very unfavourable." '

WELLINGTON UNIONISTS SUPPORT. (Peb United Pees 3 Association.)

Th w ii- WELLINGTON, May 19. . The Wellington Labour Representation Committee to-night passed a resolution deciding to strongly and unitedly support'the Jockeys Association in its strtigglo against tno oruel and mean form of victimisation to which ite members are at present bein-* subjected and urging all affiliated organisations to do their utmost to assist the transport -workers in their effort to obtain justice for the jockeys, and not relax their ettorts until the association is recog-niwr] by the Racing Conference, and its claims agreed to. It was also decided to congratulate the Seamen's Union and the waterside worker* on thoir refusal to convey racehorses, which have been declared black. (

NEW ZEALAND JOCKEYS' ASSOCIA.

LARGE NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS

OHRISTCHURCH, May 19 Sir George Clifford, president of the New Zealand liacing Conference, has received tho following petition signed by 22 of the leading jockeys:—VWo tho undersigned licensed jockeys, have determined to withdraw from th_e so-called New Zealand Jockeys' Association, on the ground that \vo were led to believe the association would bo .only an association, and not a union and that it would not be affiliated with other unions There are, however, eome points on which we should wish to have amendments to tho R,ules of Racing, or alterations in some of the customs obtaining on some racecourses which we should wish to bring under your consideration May wo ask you to grant us an interview in order that we may submit to you respectfully tho points on ivhich we consider the Now Zealand Racing Conference grant concessions?"

Sir George Clifford has sent tho following reply to tho petitioners :--"Jn reply to your request for an interview to place before me certain requests. I wish to state that I shall bo very pleased to meet you or any representatives you may select from amoni? tho licensed jockeys. Whatever requests you may make shall bo placed fairly before the Kacing Conference, and will receive full consideration. While I shall be glad to meet you ior a friendly talk on these subjects, I may explain that my reason for declining to confer with tho New Zealand Jockeys' Association was because I was eure that it did not represent the true feeling of the jockeys who had joined it, and because it claimed an interference with tho details of racing management which would have been injurious alike to owners, trainers, jockeys, and to the public. I expect to be in Wellington on Saturday, May 29, and would be glad to meet any of your number whom you may depute for that purpose at 9.30 a.m. on that day, at the owce of the Wellington Racing Club." The president has also received a letter from a prominent jockey enclosing a list containing the names of 4-3 jockeys who havo resigned from the Jockeys' Association. Th 3 signed document, he says, is in the hards of the rocretary of the "Jockeys' Association. Sir George Clifford h&s also been asked to receive a deputation of jockeys wlio have resigned from the Jockeys' Association.