FREEZING WORKERS’ STRIKE.

Southland Times, Issue 20044, 4 December 1926, Page 9

FREEZING WORKERS’ STRIKE.

To the Editor. Sir, —I am making use of a little space in your paper, simply because I feel it my duty’ to utter a few words of advice and warning to the workers in the Southland freezing works. I would remind them of the manner in which the last strike was brought about. I need not go into details, as those who took part in it will surely remember. They will also remember that a victory was forecasted with great confidence when their leaders should have known that defeat was sure and certain. They will also remember the amount of strike pay they received and the effect on their organisation. The chance of a win now is very much less than at that time; in fact there is nothing ahead but loss of wages and defeat. My advice to the men of Makarewa and the Beach is to work on until the award expires, then drive as hard a bargain as they can when their case comes before the Arbitration Court again. In the meantime carry on, and if their mates in the North are still out they will be in a position to help them and their dependents—they will need it. If they are wise those men in the North will think for themselves and trust in themselves instead of trusting blindly in their leaders. No doubt they have often seen a wether leading a mob of sheep to the slaughter. Loyalty is very well, but if it means a blind game of follow my leader it is called in. The members of unions must remember that they are the body and not the tail.—l am, etc., LABOURER.