OPARAU NOTES OF THE STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 9

OPARAU NOTES OF THE STRIKE.

Sir,—We read your paper here, and are much obliged to you for your impartiality. Wo voted for the Reform Party last election, and since we have read the noble speeches of Sir Joseph Ward, we aro thinking more than ever we have at last got an holiest, reliable head man in Rill Massey. If seems to us that Sir Joseph Ward is after tlio "Red Feds," and ho had lie.iter keep on their trail, as wo don't want and. won't have them hero. Tho farmers, being in tho majority, have tho right to do wjiat is honest for all sections, and we pro all labourers. Our union is united in olio throughout the Dominion. The Labour agitators and their Parliamentary supporters will get their honest payment for'their action. Mr. Massey and his followers will havo our votes next election, and many others, converted by "Red Fed" anarchy. Tho strikers loaded a steamer for tiieir friends in Westport; they let us do as best wo could. Tho Maoris eat para manuka, etc., for bread, as flour was done on many farms. Meat, potatoes, com, etc., we'ro plentiful. If we were wanted, wo would all go to the local export ports, and polico or luuij) as required our own products, and no one can blamo us. Tlio only mistake was that our own labourers should listen to such lies and rot .is the imported soap-box orators used. Theso "hot-air" men aro to blamo, as their followers don't know enough to keep good jobs at, high pay. How many out-back settlers inako the wages paid wharf labour? Not one; and it has been a great credit to many of us that wo wero strongwilled enough to resist tho temptation to go and make money waterside working, or as seamen, as- hero all occupations aro found, and professions from marine engineers to chimney-sweeps. In future, where industrial troubles block progress, causa loss to all tho inhabitants, but a few irresponsible anarchists who have nothing to lose, we shall bo only too pleased to como to town. All wo shall there require is ,tho command to arrest all "spouters," and doa'l out justice that will settle this sort of humbug promptly.—l am, COWBOY. Oparau.