THE FREEZING WORKERS' DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1920, Page 3

THE FREEZING WORKERS' DISPUTE.

(To the Bdtor.)

Sir,—An article appeared In Saturday's Issue of the News relating to the freezing industries dispute, wherein Mr. J. Nicoll, secretary of the Freezing Workers' Federation, was reported to have said: "The companies' final offer had been referred to the men, and had been turned down right throughout the Dominion." Now, presuming Mr. Nicoll included the New Plymouth freezing workers amongst those who did so, I must say his Statements are not only erroneous but likewise misleading. Being a freezing works employee, and a Unionist, I am in a position to state that not once during the present dispute has there been a meeting (other than tl-e usual monthly) called by the local Union to discuss the trouble and get the feeling of the men on the matter. Neither hare the men had tl-e companies' flnal offer placed before them.ln proper form, or been given an opportunity of accepting it or rejecting at the ballot box. Working amongst the men I know the feelings of a good number of tlii'm regarding the matter, and, with the exception of a few who hold extreme views, they look upon the companies' offer as a fair one, and, if put to a ballot, would favor its acceptance, realising that If the dispute is referred to arbitration they may fare much worse. Will" the exception of two or three of the Union officials, the men know absolutely nothing of what was done at the conference In Wellington, or has anyone taken the trouble to enlighten theun. No, Mr, Nicoll, you are wrong when you state that the companies' offer had been turned down by the whole of the freezing workers In the Dominion. Tl:e New Plymouth workers never did so, simply because they were never Biven the privilege of deciding for themselves one way or the other.—l am, etc., GENEROUS OFFER.