JOCKEYS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 196, 14 May 1920, Page 8

JOCKEYS' DISPUTE

RACING TO BE "BLACK"

THE CLAIMS OF THE RIDERS

The development of the jockeys' dispute is being watched with interest by racing men. Three members of the association have been suspended by the Auckland llncing Committee for their connection with the recent strike of , jockeys in Auckland, and the association ; has appealed for the support of labour unions in a protest against this "victimisation." Auckland unions have announced that racehorses and racecourses in. the North Island will be declared "black".as from May 22. This decision , is supported by some at least of the Wellington unions. The railwaymen and , tho watcrside_>yorkcrs are stated to bo ' ready to refuse transport facilities to racehorses after May 22 unless the dispute has been settled. The officers of the Jockeys' Association claim that despite the recent resignations at Palmerstou Morth they ' ; still represent a very large majority' of the jockeys. They really have two'disputes in hand, one with the owners of racehorses and the other with the racing clubs and the llncing Conference. The claims made by the association against the owners are to be considered at a conference in Wellington on June 10, when Mr. P. Hally will ,preside as Conciliation Commissioner. \Tlie principal racing clubs liavo been asked to appoint 6cven owners to represent the • employers. The claims made by the association . against the racing clubs, have not reached .the stage of negotiation. The Racing Conference has refused to recognise the jockeys' organisation, and many of the racing clubs have/taken up tho same attitude. The action taken by the labour unions is stated to be intended to secure the recognition of the association. "The disqualification of three of our members for their action in the interests of the jockeys at Avondale is a challenge that we are prepared to take up," said a member of the association to a Dominion reporter. "The racing authorities have tried to ignore us. They seem to think that joetays havo no rights, and that the rule of the Eacing Conference is absolute. 'We believe that the labour unions of New Zealand will support us. in con- v testing that position. We have made reasonable proposals to the racing clubs and we nsk for their consideration. The victimisation of three of our members is 6imply another 'reason for insisting on the recognition of our association. It-acing will be a "black' industry after liny 22 until justice has been done us." The'possibility, of the dispute inter- ' ftring with the race meeting proposed to be held at Eiccarton to-morrow, during the visit of the Prince of Wales to Christchurch, _ has been suggested: The association, it understood, does not wish to hamper this meeting., J?ac'iug is not to liccome "black" until' May 22, and then only in the North Island. The full text of the resolution carried ■at a meeting of Auckland unionists on Monday evening was as follows:—"This meeting of. representatives of Labour, having heard a full statement of the jockeys' grievances, expresses the opinion: fa)' That the conditions under which 1 lockeys and apprentices have to follow . their calling are inhuman and the wages Inadequate. (2) That the jockeys and apprentices have a. just cause for com-• plaint and to organise their members, with a view_ to bringityj about a better state o? affairs governing the conditions under -which they are to work. (3) That the Avondale incident which culminated in the suspension of Messrs. Bae. Hewitt, and O'Shea was the result of jockeys being asked to ride under, weather conditions which were, dangerous to human life. (J) Tfiat the action of the Auckland District Committee in suspending Messrs. Eae, Hewitt, and 0 Shea ! while the dispute between the New Ze.i- ' land Jockeys' Association and owners and trainers was in the hands, of the.Conciliation Commissioner was a breach of the spirit of the law under.which the hearing of the dispute was to have taken place.. Therefore, this meeting pledges itself to organise a national campaign, advising all unionists ana friends of Labour to keep away from racecourses until ■ the suspended jockeys have been reinstated, and that all unionists bo called upon not to in any way facilitate the transport of Tacehorses or any material or .persons, associated with a, race meetins.