MR ADAM’S RETURN.

Evening Star, Issue 4205, 18 August 1876, Page 4

MR ADAM’S RETURN.

To the Editor. Sill, —Can you inform the morklng men of Dunedin who “ Old Identity” is? Is lie a relative or near friend of Mr Adam’s, or is he some employer of labor, who, in consequence of a surplus, has been able to get his work done cheaper, while still charging his customers their former prices, and therefore feels he can afford to contribute to the suggested testimonial ? Mr Adam went Horae as the paid servant of the Province, and at most only did what he was paid (and well paid) for ; but the question arises : did he do his duty ? Did he not mislead, did he not often overstate the position of this Province and its capability to absorb labor ? I say most emphatically that he has done so. I know several instances where men in my own trade, who had app’ied to and been refused by our late Agent-General as unsuited for and not required in this Colony, -were afterwards sent out by this same Mr Adam, and told they would find plenty of employment at from L 3 to L 4 per week; but 1. am sorry'- to he obliged to confess that 30s is a great deal Bearer the average. And this notwithstanding “Old Identity’s ” empty boast, Sir, I believe the laborer is worthy of his hire. Mr Adam has been well paid for his trip Home—let him rest content, and let '“Old Identity” disclose himself,—l am, Ac ,

HeNKV ilOf.'G, .Secretary Dunedin Tailors’ Society. Dunedin, August 16. To the Editor. Sir, —I perceive that your correspondent “Old Identity ” has once more made his bow •before the public, and who knows but he may be appointed to the vacant Agent-General-ship 1 He evidently aspires to something of that kind, and the public must have seen by this time that he is a man of ability. I for one would like to hear Mr Adam in some public hall. It is fully eighteen months since I had the extreme pleasure of hearing him speak. His able book on “Emigrant (Life in New Zealand ” has been a good comS anion to me during the many weary months have swagged the country looking for what I cannot find —namely, work. When ! open its pages and read of the large ■pay and cheap provisions, it makes my heart lighter, as it renews hope.—l am, &c., Oht of Work. Dunedin, August 17.

To the Editor. SDR,—I should like to ask “ Old Identity” if he would like to be situated the way that I am. I have a wife and family, I have had bo work for two months, and wo have all had to subsist on bread and water for the last ten days. If I got work now I don’t think that I could do it—l can walk about and that is all. Before I started for this ■country, it was represented to me by Dr Featherston and the ‘ Otago Daily Times,' that if I came to New Zealand I should find it a land of milk and honey. If “ Old •Identity ” has got the ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ lor the 24th of December, 1873, I should be if he would read it. In conclusion, I , wish to invite “ Old Identity ” to my house to dinner any day at his pleasure, where he will find neither milk, honey, stir-about, potatoes, or salt. Ho will find my address at the Star Office.— l am, &c., Bread and Water. Dunedin, August 16. To the Editor. Sir, — In last night’s issue of your paper’ there appears a letter from “ Old Identity’’ •suggesting that Mr Adam should be requested •to give a lecture on his recent visit to the Old Country, and saying that he is sure the ■citizens would affirm their confidence in Mr Adam. I believe quite well that the citizens and all the old identities would say that Mr Adam has done well in getting so many immigrants to come here, for there is little doubt but that it is the citizens and the old Identities who are reap ng the benefit of wt overstocked labor market. The more inhabitants there are in the country the greater demand will there be for the necessaries of life; and greater competition in the labor market lowers the wages or ou•tracts, whichever it maybe, so that the citizens and the old identities (I am supposing them to he either merchants or landowners) are the parties who are deriving benefit ifrom our surplus labor. If “ Old identity would, only take a tour up-country he would get his eyes opened as to whether the labor; market is overstocked or not. Anyone who 1 has occasion to travel by r ad cannot but be painfully aware of the great number of men who cannot find work to earn their crust of oread, not to speak ox good wages.

I bob eve that if “ Old Identity” could only get Mr Adam to lecture on the Home country, and to treat it in as flowery a manner as he did New Zealand, and give a few extracts of the pay which some may be getting, he would find a good many willing to go back to their fatherland, and leave this glorious New Zealand to “Old Identity” and his citizens.—l am, &c., New Chum. Dunedin, August 17. To the Editor. Sir, —I notice the Poultry Association are about to hold a meeting. Now, s:r, it has often struck me that if, instead of bestowing all their care and attention on plumage — making pretty birds—the members of the society would try and improve the various bleeds with a view to making the birds suitable for the table, and would givo prizes for the finest capons, they would deserve the thanks of, —Yours, &c., The Public, Dunedin, August 18.