THE JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1574, 24 June 1920, Page 9

THE JOCKEYS’ DISPUTE.

SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD’S APPEAL.

Six’ George Clifford, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, has addressed the following circular to jockeys and trainers throughout New Zealand: —"For your information I enclose the Press Association’s report of the conference which took place on Thursday between representatives of racehorse owners and the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association. It accurately states the result of the conference and the reason for such a result. It is not in the interest of owners, trainers, jockeys, or of the general supporters of racing that any association of one particular section controlled and directed by outsiders should assume authority over the sport. . That authority, as claimed by the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, could only be exercised by calling a strike, which method would whenever the wire-pulling of such an association were dissatisfied, periodically disorganise racing and cause serious loss to all whose living depends upon it. Neither owners, jockeys, trainers, nor racing clubs have hitherto complained of the administration of the Racing Conference, which has always been ready to give every consideration to requests brought before it from any quarter whatsoever. I would suggest that a Trainers and Jockeys’ Association be formed unregistered, which should annually or oftenei* if required bring under the notice of the executive of the Racing Conference any complaints or alterations of the Rules of Racing which may be thought desirable; membership of such association to be limited to licensed trainers and jockeys. In this way all real grievances would speedily be removed, and the harmony which has hitherto existed would continue without interruption. If you approve of this suggestion may I ask you to express your approval by signing and returning as soon as possible the enclosure sent herewith.”

MINISTERS OF CROWN MEET TRANSPORT ADVISORY BOARD. The recent conference between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour and the executive of the Transport Advisory Board, which was held at Wellington on Wednesday of last week, discussed the jockeys’ dispute in full detail, and at the finish the following suggestions were made by the Advisory Board Executive: — (1) That the Government introduce legislation to alter the constitution of racing so as to do away with the Conference and substitute Government control. (2) That a Royal Commission be set up to go into the conduct of racing generally. (3) That all racing permits be cancelled until the N.Z. Jockeys’ Association is recognised. Mr. Massey suggested that the matter be held over till it was seen what the Racing Conference were prepared to do. In answer to a question, he stated that if things were not satisfactorily settled he would be prepared to consider a bill dealing with racing so as to bring it into conformity with the law of the country as regards the rights of jockeys.

ANOTHER JOCKEY SUSPENDED. At a meeting of the Auckland District Committee', held on Thursday, the dispute between the Avondale Jockey Club and a number of members of the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association was further considered, and as a result J. Conquest had his license suspended for the remainder of the season. The charges were similar to those preferred against J. O’Shea, E. C. Rae. and L. H. Hewitt, and the following note was attached to the finding:—“The committee appreciates the frankness of Conquest’s explanation, and is satisfied that in breaking his engagements, as he admits, he honestly considered he was bound to join with the members of his association, and that he was not a promoter t>f the action complained of.”