JOCKEYS STRIKE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 2500, 15 June 1920, Page 5

JOCKEYS STRIKE.

MAI LEAD TO SERIOUS INDUSTRIAL TROUBLE. Electric Telegraph—-Press Association Christchurch, Last Night. I lie secretary of the Canterbury Driveis l ino.u has written to Sir Geo. Clifford requesting him to Use Ins influence to secure the recognition of the Jockeys Association by the Racing Conference at tile earliest possible moment. After referring to the right or t,he jockeys to endeavour to secure the removal of their grievances the writer proceeds to present the attitude of the racing authorities. "It persisted m w'e are sure it will result- in verv serious industrial trouble, therefore we urge you to rea -e the very heavy responsibility which you aiq. carrying, and to do all in your power to remove the cause."

The secretary of the Racing Conference, instruct ed bv Sir George Clifford, replied: It is not clear why the Canterbury Drivers’ Union slum'»l intervene in the matter. The Jockeys Association, as at present constituted, by no moans represents the New Zealand licensed jockeys," anti lie jxiints out that a deputation representing fhe majority of the jockeys in Canterbury in constant employment, had been promised that their request, to nearlv all of which Sir < ■»m> Clifford bad promised his cordial support, would he brought before the Racing Conference ltexs month Alterations to tb Rules of Racing can only be math' bv the Con.

f, 'fence, anti it would appear premature to make the threats contained in the Union s eiter before it is known how far any grievances complain'd of bv the legitimate ioekeys had Iti’i'ii remedit d b,v the bodv cotistituted for that purpose. Alter ref« rrin to the \a r - 1 interests rnnirtuei! n racing, the sivretary albiles to tbe fact that no oh.i< -ti >n had been raised to the formation ef ass«s iariotis in connect on with the spirt . hjhl says that the president ill\ it ng t!i ■ trainers an,! jockey- ;o combine I r the pti'p-- of harmoniously treat ng with the C.vufereu, for any purpose wkcli they may deem advisable. \ny such Association cannot, lioweter. be pci milted t<i 11 si trp authority over all other branches of tile sport i>tif the more brute force ot sttelt a u eaJXMI as a strike. Non-reeognit ion of the Jockeys’ Association organised and led by a person outside the body of licensed jockeys, is explained by the fact that it lias resorted to this extreme method of obtaining its end. After referring to the history of racing as "Black.” and the threatening attitude ot the Association to jockevs who dal mil conform to its holiest , the writer proceeds: "It is clear, if racing is to he ooiKluot-isl to Ihe cotillion advaiUUigc oi owners, jockeys and the public, it« regulation cannot he in the hands of a body adopting such till attitude. It the Association had bee.n organised by the jockeys themselves, and it tiicv'had come with reasonable propositions Iki tin' Racing Conference, their reception would have been cordial. You on your part," concludes the letter, "may he tirgi’d to realise the very heavy respmsibility you are ea-rrying when you press. under the threats, for recognition of the Jockeys’ Association by the Conference, at- a time when the t'onterenec is ot teeing the jockevs every facility far representing their requests, and) yon mav do good service to the cause which von apparently have at heart, hv persuading all concerned to :i<l"1>l the const it lit iotud means provided by the Rules of Racing, for roimnliving till such mattters as they may f«vl te quire adjust tneuil