Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 33, 2 September 1890, Page 2

Correspondence

. . KNIGHTS OF LABOE MEETING. TO THK KDITOtt OF TFIE STAKSir, — At a meeting held in Feilding on Saturday last, amongst . others I expected to hear a more rational explanation of the term "Knights of Labour." To'rayuiiud it was a political meeting pure and simple, and the communist views (that beiug the word used) very far ahead of a young colony. The word communist, I believe, means an equal distribution of property. In looking round the room I noticed a number of old settlors who came here in ;the early days, and by hard work andecononiy have now nice little farms, sufficient lo keep; them for the rest of their days and start their children in life after they are, giine. I also saw a number of young men in the room,. no doubt. sous of the farmers mentioned. Are they going to join an association {quoting the speaker's words) " if we cau't gain our ends one way we will another ?" That other way, I conclude, means bloodshed. Are ; our young men going to assist in robbing themselves arid parents of property now owned ? There is no doubt if they join the association that is what they swear to do. At the present time they can vote as they like, but once they joiu the ranks of the Kuights of Labour they throw away that freedom and have to do as they are told, and the vote by ballot is of no use. It seems to me very much like going back to the time known as the dark ages. I will conclude by saying 1 cau't thiuk good men are sent out to ; explaiu the working of the society ; : they ;uMght gain their ends in over crowded towns, but in the country parts of" New Zealaud, where eyery man can have his . own farm by economy and work, the society is absurd, and I trust we shali be able to return at the next election men' who will c ideivor to protect us, and uot a nominee of the Kuights of iabor. — I am, &c, John Saxon.