THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17943, 24 May 1920, Page 6

THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE

EARLY SETTLEMENT EXPECTED,

(Peb United Pkeßß Association.) ■ • CHRISTOHURCH, May 22. A deputation from the Trade Unions waitedon the Prime Minister this morning I regarding the jockeys' dispute. The Prime '/Minister said he thought the matter was within measurable distance of settlement, as he was convinced that the Racing Conference would; recognise the Jockeys' Associa- ;. tion, TRADES UNIONS' SYMPATHY. DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME ♦MINISTER. BACTNG CONFERENCE WILLING TO ;- MEET JOCKEYS. (Peb United Pkkss Association,) CHRISTCHURCH, May 23. " I do not think it would be much loss to the country if wo did .away with racinr altogether. It would not trouble mo in the very slightest. Perhaps, ae Treasurer, I should not get as much revenue, but that i would not worry me, for I could get it Bomo other way." That statement was made by tho Prime Minister to a deputation of Trade Unionists which waited upon> him to-day with regard to the jockeys' dispute. The deputation desired that Cabinet should use its best endeavours to got tho New Zealand Racing Conference to recognise the New Zealand Jockeys' Association. The members of the deputation went away .apparently satisfied when the Prime Minister replied that the assurance given him by the members of the Racing , Conference was that there was absolutely no objection to the association appearing before the conference. In the" course of his reply to the deputation, Mr Massey said he did not pretend to be a racing nian, but he knew a: little about this trouble, and he • had looked into it as far aa his time had permitted. There was a dispute—it was sub judice, by , tho way—between the jockeys and racehorse owners, but that had nothing ■ to do with the Racin<r Conference. Mr J. M'Combs, M.P., interrupted that the employers were intimidating the employees in the hope of bringing , about their withdrawal from tho association. Mr Massey: No. So far ae I have been able to judgo, employers have not moved at all. I think you are mistaking , the members of the Racing Conference for the employers of the jockeys. Mr M'Comba: They are one and the same. Mr Massey added that he had arranged for the dispute between the jookeys and owners ■ to be dealt with. The Hon. Mr E. Mitchelsen had stated publicly that the reasons for the disqnaJification of the three jookeys was ■ that they had broken, their engagements, Mr E. J. Heward, M.P.: How did they break their engagements? Mr Massey: A jockey engages with an owner to ride a certain horse or horses on ft given day. It is a very serious for the owner and for the public if he fails to keep that engagement. Then , followed a little argument between the Prime Minister and the members of the deputation as to tho conditions ruling at Avondalo for the meeting at which the jopkeys were disqualified. Mr Massey said that it would not be much loss to the country if racing were abolished altogether Mr F. P. Cooke remarked that if the Racjng Conference was going to take up the old-time ■ hostilities to trades unionism and to the laws protecting it the sport had better cease. 1 Mr Massey: Whoever breaks tho law of the _ country must face the music. Tho Raoing Conference may make such rules and regulations as it likes, but it must keep withjn the four corners of tho law of this country. We won't stand any nonsense of that kind. He added that tho jockeys who were suspends had tho right of appeal to the Racing Conference. Mr Renn: Not always. _Mr Massey: According to my information, always. After further discussion of minor details the Prime Minister stated that ho was givon to believe by members of tho Racing- Conference. w.hom he knew to be honourable men, that the conference was always willing , to receive any jockey with a complaint, anil that there was no objection to meeting the Jockeys' Association. Of course, he could not bind the conference, but that was what he had been given to believe.