IN REPEY TO “WORKER (?)”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1075, 13 March 1913, Page 3

IN REPEY TO “WORKER (?)”

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Please allow me space in your columns in which to refute the “facts” as stated by “Worker.” First, he questions the right of some of our elected labour men to speak on matters which, as he knows, have been misrepresented by the public press throughout this fair Dominion, In connection with statements he quotes as used by Mr Holland on Sunday last, why did he not rise up and act like a man and ask that question there and then, instead of waiting till he had left the district and then make himself ridiculous by using the coward’s refuge ? Such attacks we usually treat with contempt. Before he rushes into print he should ascertain the truth. Mr Holland never said that Evans never possessed a revolver, As to the bullet, Mr “Worker,” was it not produced and found not to fit the revolver produced as Evans’ ? Did he not know that ? Now, as he has never had any connection with industrial troubles, or their causes, he has the crass impertinance to suggest that the men who have had that experience should have their common rights taken away, viz., to tell the truth anywhere and everywhere. Is this a sample of what he would do ? So much for his idea of upholding even citizen’s rights, and that under the British flag. And can he quote the number of signatures to those famous petitions for protection, as laid on the table of the House of Parliament last session ? Did not the magistrate compliment the men 011 the absence of violence of any sort during the strike ? Of course he likes “facts,” not the truth. Whether the people of Foxton appreciate such “stuff” (?) as the Eabour men gave, or such a malicious attempt to mislead as he has made, is answered by the patient hearing accorded them during their visit. As for his advice anent labour leaders, we, as genuine workers, do not need his, which is an insult to the workers of this community, who are not afraid to face trouble when it comes, as he seems to be, but who have the courage of their convictions, and who are not afraid to give utterance to them openly, not from behind the hedge which separates him from the truth. —I am, etc., E. G. Martin, Foxton.

[Wk have eliminated an insolent reference !o the Press from the above. We are prepared to give K. G. Martin, or any other satellite of the extreme Labour section, space, within reasonable limits, for the ventilation and expression of views touching industrial problems of passing moment, but we wilL not tolerate from such individuals any slur upon an honoured profession to which intelligent Labour frankly admits it is debtor. —Eo, H-]