FREEZING WORKERS’ RESOLUTION

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23051, 20 June 1940, Page 10

FREEZING WORKERS’ RESOLUTION

SO TH* EDITOB 07 THE PRESS.

Sir,—l wish to correct a conglomeration of distortion that has followed a gross misrepresentation of the . context of the freezing workers’ resolution appearing in “The Press” on June 11. By the omission of the words ‘in danger of,” your correspondent “Britisher has placed an entirely wrong construction on. the meaning of the resolution. The sentence should read;, “We consider that the war situation is in danger of being used as a'means of reducing the workers’ standard of living and conditions of work,” etc. ' ■ , The resolution, wljich unfortunately had a belated appearance, was earned on May 31, after ,a campaign in which many misguided individuals and organisations chose to indulge in hysterical and unjustified political vapounngs against the Labour Government, which has been adequately described by our Prime Minister as an . “anti-Labour blitzkrieg.” The objective desired was to stampede the Government into revising its domestic policy, and as the organised clamour resulted in the creation of panic, we -decided to exercise

our democratic rights, hence the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Viewed in the light of the day, we considered this step necessary, but since then an almost exasperating change has taken place, and war emergency regulations have been invoked by which the Government has decided it will conscript for national service, to the extent required, the whole of the wealth and manpower of New Zealand. The workers’ interest now lies in the words "to the extent required,” but if used expeditiously and courageously, they will, I feel sure, meet with the approval the perilous situation of the British Empire ' demands to-day. . As your correspondent, Mr Wilkinson, has seen fit to criticise my support of the resolution in the light of patriotism, may I conclude by stating that I offered my services for the defence of this country many months ago and when my turn comes to go into battle, I earnestly wish to have my freezing worker friends by my side The intestinal fortitude shown by them in their courageous uphill fight for better wages and conditions would instill in me great confidence, which is certainly not exemplified by our armchair, critics.—Yours, etc., C. L. BURNAND. June 19, 1940.