JOCKEY’S DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14143, 15 June 1920, Page 6

JOCKEY’S DISPUTE.

ATTITUDE OF RACING AUTHORITIES. . t

(By Telegraph-Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The Secretary of the Canterbury Drivers’ Union has written Sir George Clifford requesting him to use his mthe Jockeys’ Association by the «a----i„„ Conference at the earliest possible moment. After referring to the right of the jockeys td endeavour to scenic the removal of their grievances, the writer proceeds: \“The 1-seut <#- tude of the racing authorities, if pu sisted in, we are sur.e, will icsult very serious industrial ’trouble I here-, fore we urge you to realise the very heavv responsibility which you are / carrying, and to do nil in your power to remove the cause. ’ . - The secretary of the Racing Gonfeience, instructed by Sir George Chiiford has replied that it is why the Canterbury Drivers Union should intervene in the matter. Jockeys’ Association, as at present constituted, by no means* represents ti c Now Zealand licensed jockeys, and points out that a- deputation representing a majority of the jockeys m constant employment, had been Pjomjs ed that- their requests, to nearly all of which Sir George had promised cordial support, would be brought befoic the Racing Conference.next month. At tcrations to the Rules.of Racing can only be'made by the Conference, and it would appear premature to mak«the threats contained in the Union s lcttei before it is known how far any grievances sustained by the legitimate jockeys have been remedied by the body constituted for that purpose. After referring to the varied interests eoncorned in racing, the secretary alludes to the fact that no objection had been raised to the formation of associations in connection with the sport, and says: Ac The president is inviting the trainers and jockeys to combine for the purpose of harmoniously treating with, the Conference for any purpose which they mav deem desirable. Any such association cannot, however, be permitted to usurp authority over all branches of the sport by the mere-brute force of such a wepaon as a strike. The nonrecognition of the Jockeys’ Association, organised and , Jed 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 listing of racing as ‘'black,” and the threatening attitude of the Association to jockey’s who do not. conform to its behest, the writer proceeds that it is clear that if racing is to be conducted to the common advantage of owners, jockeys and the public, its regulation cannot be in the hands of a body adopting such an attitude. If the Association had been organised by the jockeys themselves, and if _ they hadcome with reasonable propositions to the Racing Conference, * their reception would have been cordial. “Yon on. your part,” concludes the letter, “may be urged to realise the very heavy responsibility you are carrying when you press, under threats for the recognition of the Jockey’s’ Association by the ConfcTencp at a time when the-Conference is offering the jockeys ■every facility for representing their requests, and y r ou may do good service to the cause which ymu apparently' have at heart by persuading all _ concerned to adopt the constitutional means provided by- the Rules of Racing for remedying la’ll such matters as they’ may feel require adjustment.”