"A FRIENDLY TALK"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 201, 20 May 1920, Page 6

"A FRIENDLY TALK"

RACING CONFERENCE PRESIDENT • TO MEET JOCKEYS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May 19. Sir George Glifi'ord, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, has receiver, the following petition signed by twenty-two of the leading jockeys:— "We, tho undersigned licensed jockeys, have determined to withdraw from tho so-called New Zealand Jockeys' Association on the ground that wo were led to believe, that the association would be only an association and not a union and that it would not be affiliated with othui' unions. There are, however, some points on which we should wish to have amendments to the HuLes of Racing or alterations in some of tho customs obtaining on some- racecourses which wo should wish to bring under your consideration. May wo ask you to grant us an interview in order that we mav submit to you respectfully the points on which wo consider the New Zealand Racing Conference might grant us concessions?" Sir George Clifford has sent the following, reply to each petitioner: "In reply to your request for an interview to place before me certain requests, I wish to state I shall be very pleased to meet you, or any representatives you may select from among the licensed Jockeys. Whatever requests you may make shall b? placed fairly before the Racing Conference and receive full consideration, while I am glad to meet you for n friendly taik on these subjects, I may explain that my reason for declining to confer with tho New Zealand Jockeys' Association was because I was sure it did not represent tho true feeling of the jockeys who had been led to join it, and beceu.se it claimed an interference wil'i the details of racing management which would have been injurious alike to trainers, owners, jockeys and the public. I expict to bo in Wellington on Saturday, May 20, and would bo glad io meet any of your number whom you may depute for that purpose at !).30 a.m. on' thn' day at the offices of the Wellington Racing Club." Th; president has also received a letter from a prominent jockey enclosing a list containing the nnmcs of 43 Jockeys who have resigned from the Jockeys' Association. The signed document he says, is in the hands of the socrotarv of the Jockeys' Association. Theso signatories hnvo also asked Sir ,

George Clifford to receive a deputation of jockeys who have resigned from the Jockeys' Association.