JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1573, 17 June 1920, Page 31

JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE.

ASSOCIATION NOT RECOGNISED. A conference summoned under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act to consider the dispute between the Jockeys’ Association and the owners of racehorses met in Wellington on Friday. Mr. P. Hally (appointed by the Government) presided. The owners were represented by Sir George Clifford (Christchurch), Mr. R. Hannon (Auckland), and Mr. J. S. McLeod (Hastings). The Jockeys’ Association was represented by Messrs. C. C. -Sheath (Auckland), H. W. Davies (Christchurch), and W. A. Ryan (Auckland). No agreement was arrived at, the racehorse owners claiming that the association did not represent the jockeys of New Zealand, and that even if they did so if. would be impossible in the interests of the owners, trainers, jockeys, and the public to submit to the dictation of any one section of racing interests, especially when organised by outsiders. The owners, however, expressed their willingness to receive suggestions on all matters connected with racing from individual jockeys or others connected with the sport, stating that this course had already been taken in respect to proposed legislation by the forthcoming meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference.

Mr. Hally has made the following statement, as the Press were not admitted: —“After some general discussion, the representatives of the owners went into committee and decided that they could not see their way to engage in further discussion or to recognise the Jockeys’ Association. Their objection to recognising the association was based on the following grounds: That a very large section of the jockeys had intimated to various owners that they had as far as possible severed their connection with the association; that among those who had given the intimation mentioned were many of the most prominent horsemen in the Dominion;

that it was not. considered desirable in the interests of racing generally that a combination of the character of the present association should receive recognition. “The representatives of the association contended, in reply, that they had a legal standing, and that though a number of the original members had resigned, some had since seen fit to reconsider their position and had rejoined. The association’s representatives further claimed that they still possessed in their ranks an overwhelming majority of the jockeys of New Zealand. “I was compelled to suggest that there did not seem to be the slightest possibility of the parties being able to make any joint recommendation that would overcome the difficulty, and at my suggestion the meeting dispersed. I promised to report as early as possible to the Minister in charge. “I still think,” Mr. Hally concluded, “that if the parties understood each other a little better something might be done which would benefit both sides. I intend to make some effort in this connection before I leave again for Auckland. It is understood that when the Racing Conference meets next month consideration will be given to the question of improving the conditions of employment of jockeys as promised by the president of the Conference to a recent deputation of jockeys.