THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1920, Page 5

THE JOCKEYS' DISPUTE.

A SPLIT IN THE RANKS. UNION IDEA NOT FAVORED. By Tele&Taph.—Press Association. Christchureh, Last Night. Sir George Clifford, President of the New Zealand Racing Conference, has received a petition from twenty-two of the leading jockeys, stating they have determined to withdraw from the so-called New Zealand Jockeys' Association on the ground that they were led to believe the Association would only be an association, and not a. union, and would not be affiliated with other unions.

They state there are somo points on which they would like amendments to the rules of racing, or alterations in the customs obtaining on somo racecourses, and ask for an interview to submit the matters on which they consider the Railing Conference might grant concessions. Sir George Clifford has replied to each petitioner that he will be pleased to meet him or any representatives appointed by the petitioners. Whatever requests are made will be placed fairly before the Racing Conference, and receive full consideration.

Sir George (proceeds: "While glad to meet you for a friendly .talk on these subjects, I may explain that my reason for declining to confer with the New Zealand Jockeys' Association was because I was sure it did not represent the true feeling of the jockeys who have been led to join it, and because it claimed an interference with the details of racing management, which would have been injurious alike to owners, trainers, jockeys, and to the public." Sir George Clifford will meet representatives of the petitioners in Wellington on the 29th inst. A prominent jockey has also written to Sir George, enclosing the names of 43 jockeys who have resigned from the Association, and asking him to receive a deputation.

THE ATTITUDE OF LABOR. SUPPORT THE ASSOCIATION. Wellington, Last Night. The Labor Representation Committee to-night passed the following resolution: —"That we strongly and unitedly support the Jockeys' Association in its struggle against a cruel and mean form of victimisation, to which its members are at present being subjected, and urge all affiliated organisations to do their utmost to assist the transport workers in their .effort to obtain justice for the jockeys, and not relax their efforts until the Association is recognised by the Racing Conference and its claims agreed to; we also congratulate the seamen and watersiders on refusing to convey racehorses, which have been declared 'black.'"