FLAXMILLS EMPLOYEES DISPUTE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3752, 16 February 1907, Page 3

FLAXMILLS EMPLOYEES DISPUTE.

A Contradiction. Our representative waited on Mr Simpson, Secretary of the Manawatu Flaxmills Employees Union in connection with an interview published by the N.Z. Times with Mr W. Prior, who appeared on behalf of the flaxmills employers at the Conciliation Board during the hearing of the recent dispute. Mr Prior informed the paper that a member of the Conciliation Board had formed the flax workers union. Mr Simpson stated that he intended to contradict the statement. Mr Collins, a member of the Board, was invited to address the flaxmill employees, said Mr Simpson, and Mr Prior's statement to the effect that Mr Collins came on his own initiative is altogether erroneous. Mr Simpson said that for some years past the employees- have been dissatisfied with the conditions under which they are employed, and as Mr Collins was under instructions from his officers to organise new unions, he was invited by a large number of flax workers to come among them and to use his best efforts to combine them. Mr Prior, concluded Mr Simpson, is in the unfortunate position of having received erroneous information.