THE TRUCK SYSTEM.

Evening Star, Issue 4087, 1 April 1876, Page 4

THE TRUCK SYSTEM.

Seven of the men employed on the Awamoko Railway .write to .the ‘North Otago < Times’ denying the statement that was .{cade through the columns of that journal that “something like the truck system prevailed on those works.” They say : “ Since our engagement on this tramway we have neither directly nor indirectly been interfered with in the disposal of our wages, and we have invariably been paid by voucher. We are aware that in a few exceptional instances orders on the local storekeeper have been issued instead of vouchers, but. this has been , done at the express desire of laborers who were leaving, and wished to have an immediate settlement. To save delay, and in the temporary absence of Mr Dennison, whose signature to the vouchers was essential, the men paid off on the 21st inst. received orders for the amoimt of their wages up to that evening—an arrangement with which all seemed except one -or two who have left the district with their debts unpaid. The assumption that there has been the slightest collusion between the Inspector of the Works—Mr Brine—and . any storekeeper is, we are satisfied, utterly unfounded ind unwarrantable.”