THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1920, Page 5

THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

A NOVEL SITUATION. SUMMONS OF STEWARDS IGNORED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The principal development in regard to the recent strike of jockeys at Avondale is recognition by the Government of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association, and the acquiescence of the Prime Minister in the capacity of Minister of Labor, in a request for a conference to bo called between the Jockeys' Association and the various owners and trainers upon whom demands have been mai'e for improved conditions. This position has arisen out of the intervention by the local Labor M'sP., following upon the contretemps on the Avondale course on Saturday. Messrs. M. J. Savage, \V. IC. Parry and F. N. Bartram wired the Premier as follows: "In view of possible serious developments in the dispute between the New Zealand Jockeys' Association, and the racehorse owners we strongly urge nn immediate hearing under the Industrial Disputes Act-" The following reply lias been received by Mr. Savage: "Telegram signed by yourself and Messrs. Parry and Bartram respecting jockeys' dispute received. The application from the Association is not quite in order and has been returned by to-day's mail for completion- Mr. Hally, acting Conciliation Commissioner, will be in Auckland on Friday, and the dispute will be referred to him in connection with the holding of a conference as provided for by the Act." Another interesting development is in connection with a further meeting of the stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club called for to-niglit. In response to a summons to L .11. Hewitt to attend, the secretary of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association has sent the following letter to tiie secretary of the Avondale Jockey Club: "My Association is in receipt of the notice handed Lo a member of the Association, Mr. L. It. Hewitt, requesting him to attend a meeting "f your stewards to tie hold tonight at 7.30, and I am instructed to inform the stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club that the inquiry to which you refer in the notice is now in the hands of the executive of my Association, and that any correspondence or negotiations 'in connection therewith must be addressed to me. as secretary of the Association." The significance of the letter lies in the fact that under the racing laws jockeys are compelled to answer a summons of a stewards' meeting. Auckland, April ]:).

The watcrsiders have decided to support the jockeys in their dispute with the Avondale Jockey Club. The stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club again met to-night to discuss the recent jockeys' strike at the second day of the meeting. After sitting for some time the proceedings were adjourned without- any decision being reached. Welling!on, Night. It will not be possible lo have the jockeys' conference before the Wellington race meeting, but there is no news that the jockeys will interfere with the meeting in any way, or that they intend to refuse to accept engagement, nor will it be possible for Hie Prime? Minister, in his capacity as Minister of Labor, to meet the jockeys to-morrow lie is still busy with the railway societies, and will not, be able to get through his interviews with the three societies until to-morrow evening or probably next day.