REPLY TO GR RICHMOND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1074, 11 March 1913, Page 2

REPLY TO GR RICHMOND.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —I see by your issue of Thursday’s date another “twaddler” has come to light, but I leave him and his twaddle to the opinions of your readers, for he is hopelessly at sea with his “facts,” “logic,” “poisoned darts,” etc. The only statement he makes that hurts me is about my skin, which I am pleased to inform him happens to be fair, plump and not a blemish to be seen. Sir, apart from all this bluster, there is a great principle at stake and it all centres the object of the famous motion and the cause that led up to it being put, viz., a borough employee buying the gate at the races. I hope your readers will please note that there is no regular established trade in that line, but there is for the washer woman. Why, sir, if these gentlemen get to bear that one of the borough employees was to do his own washing, thereby competing with some of his employers far worse off, then Cr Richmond and his friends, if they are consistent, will next move a motion that his job be tendered for every washing day. It matters not to them whether the Council’s work is better done than before, or that it may be done wor’e than ever by the new man. Then, sir, if Foxton sets up a precedent as was tried by Cr Richmond, what a chance for Mr Massey! Only let it be known that any civil servant has made a bob or two in his own time, say he has earned a pound as scout at the races, or catching white bait, or worked overtime when some of their employers (taxpayers) want those billets. Sir, what a chance for Mr Massey to increase his surplus by calling tenders and getting new employees, as the old employees would lose their superannuation of course ! Thus Councillors and admirers of the J. G. Graham type don’t believe in a working man getting that benefit as they believe in annual tenders. True, so far these marvellous men have only got as far as the sanitary cart, but, sir, once they start where will they end ? Had their motion included all borough employees, to anyone not in the know, they might have saved their faces. But for Cr Richmond to tell the public in his letter that he was aiming at taking a man’s work from him by his notice of motion at the Council table, simply for doing his work

well and making a bob extra in in his own time, sir, I think it is not British. Now, as for the yarn re the state of the pit, seeing that Cr Richmond’s complaint has not been corroborated, may I ask whether he was looking at the depot through a microscope ? On this point I might tell Cr Richmond that it is easy to stir up trouble and it is a pity he did not have a photo taken of the tip for the benefit of the Council and to prove the statement contained in his letter of the 15th February. Sir, having had to suffer from labour agitators and “leaders” and having been victimised—-for these so-called leaders are not fit to l ea£ j—l a sk theFoxton public to save themselves from such jriends. —I am, etc., Anti Twaddle.

(To the Editor). Sir.- -Kindly allow me space in which to make a few remarks concerning the extravagant statements of Messrs Graham, Stove, Parry, Holland and Co., which these gentlemen made concerning the recent trouble at Waihi. It s_ seems a pity that such men should 1 travel about this country making such rash statements as were made on Sunday last. No doubt everyone is aware of the true facts concerning Waihi, but the views put forth by these gentlemen were totally different to those which appeared in the public press throughout the Dominion. Which is correct ? The words of the policemen taken at the inquest of Evans, or the statements of these agitators, who are continually stirring up strife and making the workers dissatisfied ! Now, sir, here is one ot the statements made : Mr Holland said that Evans, the man whom the constable batoned, never had a revolver in his life. By the way, the revolver taken from Evans was a “Bulldog.” Well, later on the same individual said . the bullet taken from Constable Wade never fitted the revolver taken from Evans. Now, sir, it seems a very funny thing how he has contradicted himself. I have yet to learn that the bullet has been extracted from Wade’s bodjr. Surely this isproof enough as tothe shooting affair at Waihi to satisfy your readers. I think it is quite time that a stop was put to these - open-air agitators, who can only stand up and cry down the police force and the Government. Is not the Government elected by the people ? Also, did not the residents of Waihi and Huntly ask the Government to send policemen to protect them ? Do they think that the people of Foxton appreciate such stuff as this. - Workers, beware of these mischief-making so-called leaders, and put a stop to such individuals as these, before we have a repetition of what occurred at Waihi. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc.,

Worker.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I have noticed on several occasions letters appearing in your paper dealing with public matters, and signed by Jas. G. Graham. I notice that presumably the same individual is one of the Industrial Workers’ Union candidates for the coming municipal election. He 'told the public in one letter that he was a new arrival in Foxton, and his feverish haste to show us how to run the borough may, or may not, be commendable. As Y an old ratepayer I like to know something of the man tor whom I am asked to cast a vote. I would ask Mr Graham, through the courtesy ot the press, to tell us a - little of his past experience in public matters in this country. In making this request, I am studying his interests at the forthcoming election as well as asking for information that is due to every elector from a stranger who aspires to serve them.—l am, etc., Ratepayer.