CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2104, 18 March 1920, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) Sir. —Mr Robinson conveys an impression that the Band could have willingly received Iho small consideration of a cup of tea were it asked for officially, and not on the recommendation of some Maori. The local official delegate, Mr Rout (not t, Maori) made application on behalf of the Band, and informed the Band that “Tuck” had said “No!” The Band resented this. Mr Rout again repeated that Mr Robinson had said “No.” Consequently I (not tt Maori) made official application (•il behalf of the Band, and Mr Robinson still said “No!”. Astonished at this, I pleaded with him that the bandsmen were working all day, and needed nourishment; Hial it would be quite 8 o’clock before the men would reach home. Mr Robinson still refused, i was then forced to remind him “that it was not. good keeping with (me labour principles.” He was this lime the employer, and (he Band the employees. Most of Hie men were union men, while others had to forego their busiest day and come away without breakfasting. My solo eornetist had to work at 5.30 a.m. to oblige the sports, and through loss of time had (o resume work on Sunday. My solo saxhornisl lost his day. 1 lost mine, and donated a trophy besides. MV Robinson still refused, and then asked to see the Band secretary. After so much bother it took the Secretary some time, and thought, 'before he felt like making (he advance. Bv this lime the men, whose

special work calls for nourishment, got so disgusted and full up (hat Ilu*v■‘‘downed tools,” and lelt tor town, to procure lea, believin'? themselves as much entitled to this prerogative as Air Robinson. tl seems (o he a mailer of moral indifference (o Mr Robinson how he puls his case, before a Press editor, and it is 1111beecming for a leader ol so (umncnl ;; constitution to mislead the Fdilor, having him to believe, publish, and publicly blame some pool’ irresponsible* Maori alone for this seeming offence of asking for a cup o! lea. Whoever the Maori was that Mr Robinson lays such weak claims to probably fell like supporting' the Band's altitude. Mr Robinson lolls you that owing to the late arrival of the train morning tea was “willingly granted." The Rand thought so, (00. The agreement stipulated lunch and afternoon lea, so what excuse is there for refusing I he-af-ternoon lea, since yon see the morning tea was a ‘‘willing’' grant. Mr Robinson should have said three guineas “have been donated, mb “was” donated, implying thereby lhal il was voted (o the Baud before (he unfortunate happening. However. we are pleased for the acceptable assistance in this respect, for which we titanic the Committee, iln conversation with the Palmerston Bandmaster, he said for sendees ah the Railway Picnic last Sunday ten men received lbs each, including luncheon and lea. At the ( alholic picnic yesterday the men received IKs each, and mi arrival were given a large box of sandwiches, a box of ■cakes, a quantity of cordials, and the otter of lea. At the Butchers’ Picnic at Ashhursl, they received Kis each, with lunch and lea. The whole affair is unfortunate, and bandsmen alone know how Irving it is having to stretch their lungs blowing through brass tubes all day on insuflieienl nourishment. —I am., etc.. J, COI.DMR.