FLAXMILLS EMPLOYEES’ UNION AND MINISTER FOR LABOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 452, 13 March 1909, Page 3

FLAXMILLS EMPLOYEES’ UNION AND MINISTER FOR LABOUR.

AN ACCUSATION REFUTED

Some time ago our Palmerston morning contemporary inferred in a leading article that the reason why the Minister for Labour accorded a sympathetic hearing to the Flaxmills Employees Union delegates who waited upon him in reference to a request for a Royal Commission to enquire into the hemp industy, was because the said Union put in a very strong’ plea for the appointment of Mr Hogg to the Cabinet. This was denied by the Union and the editor of our contemporary admitted that his memory was at fault! The following letter has been received by the Secretary of the Union from the Minister auent the matter, which contains a nasty sting : “Office of the Minister of Labour, Wellington, March 9th, 1909. Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant enclosing, by direction of your Management Committee, sub-leader from the Mauawatu Times of the Ist instant with reference to the deputation of flaxworkers which recently waited on me. In reply I have to thank the Management Committee for calling my attention to the articles referred to. I think it is not merely a matter lor regret, but deplorable, that newspapers should be found in a young country prepared to discount the best traditions of the press by re- , sorting to transparent misrepreseu-

tations. Opinions founded on gross inaccuracies may prejudice public opinion for a season, but inevitably the truth will come to light and the insult will be resented. The cause that relies on falsehood is not worth defending.”—Yours etc., A. W. Hogg.”