TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14837, 1 December 1913, Page 5

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A.S.—Many thanks for the enclosures.

RICCAJtTON BOROUGH COUNCIL TO THE EPITOB OF "THB PRESS."

Sir, —I notice in the report of the last meeting of the Riccarton Borough | Council a considerable-discussion, took placo on/the present industrial crisis, and the-Council deplored the attitude of tho Government and passed a resolution condemning the Government, by live votes to four. Now, Sir, I am sure the Council are not voicing the opinions of tho majority of the ratepayers when they pass such'a resolution as that, and could spend their timo to much more profit in attending to the requirements of the borough. 1 am sure tho ratepayers .'will con__T_tulate the Mayor and Councillors Helliwell, Ford, and George, on tha stand'they took in opposing the motion; and they deserve the thanks of tho ratepayers. I am at a loss to! understand the action in this matter of Cr. Waddell, the chairman of'the| Works Committee, in voting for tho motion, more esr_.i_lly seeing that Cr. \Va_uell is an employer of labour and in business in our city, and I presume a member of the Employers' .Association. Yet Cr. Waddell voted to eondenm the Government who are giving 1 him protection. Evidently he is trying j to please two masters. Wliat the Employers' Association will thinkj of one j of their number.'is for them to say. I j think the ratepayers will say he wants | backbone. I

'As for Crs. White, Dempster, Stokes, nnd-Foster, these gentlemen are all employees of the Government, and employed at the Addington Workshops, and I think should be the last men to condemn their employer—the Government—who granted them special permission to stand for tho Council. So th:-y told the ratepayers when, seeking election. Now they have shown their hands against the Government. I think the Government would bo quite justified in withdrawing tho special permission If the Government do not'do it I feel sure the ratepayers will at tho next election.

I also notice by the report that one Councillor complained that he had been jeered at and insulted by a body of 50 or 60 "specials" when he was returning from work. I saw in your columns a few days ago a report that on the arrival of the."specials" at Addington thoy wero greeted by some of the Workshops' men calling them "Scabs." I am suro the ratepayers would be pleased and gratified if tho Council would discus, the improvements of the borough and not waste so much valuable time in twaddle. Sours, etc., RATEPAYER.