WHAT WE ARE COMING TO ?

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1616, 6 December 1912, Page 5

WHAT WE ARE COMING TO ?

:—.fi ; THE AGE OF BUMPTIOUSNESS. . ."Perhaps, this is becoming ail age of bumptiousness/' observes "Liberty anil Progress," _in reprinting the following, published in a, Queensland paper:— "Messrsi James Cossart and Sons, "Sirs,—Be your advti for traction en-gine-driver,' in 'Courier,' I am a traotioh engine-driver; if my terms meet with your approval, I may leave my present job by giving juy employer seven days' notice. ■ • "MyTerms of engagement aro as follow:— "i. Absolute control of engine placed in my charge; (2) equality of address; (8) steersman to be approved of by myself; and to work under me at all times; (i) steersman's wage to be. 7s. per day, wet •and dry. A day's notice either way; (5) the loading and unloading of wagons to be done by mill, hand—not by driver or steersman; (6) driver's wages, ,£lB ner month,- wet and dry, one week's notice either way. "Tours truly, ."••■.■ The firm addressed on the'above!mattcr, on regaining control of their feelings, replied appropriately as follows:—. ' '- ' ',- Esq. "Dear Sir—We have your communication of 66th inst., duly to hand, for which wo thank you. In reply, we beg to state that we find it informal, owing to several omissions, we think rather important to you, and- which we do not feel inclined to take.advantage of. In your conditions you have omitted (inadvertently no doubt) to mention that afte'r you-had worked the traction engine for, say, six months, it would become your solo, property, as a small token of your faithful services and' masterly skill. , "Further, you did not mention that you" would require the attendance and services' of a skilled cook to accompany you on, your journeys with the engines, which, would necessitate your sleeping out some, hights.every trip. Now, .we feel .sure that you have over- : looked these matters; also the fact that you might meet people.(mill hands, for instance, attending to your loading and' un-r loading) who are poorly educated, and who would not be able to address you with.proper.fespect,-,and, no doubt, these hurt your feelings..'',- ~\,: . -<\ "In reviewing the whole matter, we think it would be quite unfair to. accept your generous offer, at least until matters were more fully arranged for. your personal security and comfort, but we regret that we have not the time for doing so at present. "We beg to remain, "Tour humble but grateful servants, "James Cossart and Sons."