TRADESMEN v. HANDY-MEN.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 66, 14 June 1912, Page 14

TRADESMEN v. HANDY-MEN.

Sir, —Doing a man of a somewhat passive sentiment, I do not caro for being flashed too prominently before the footlights of public opinion. Not that I bow to public opinion or to any man. Let all your actions bo beyond suspicion, then snap your fingers at the rest. At all times bo a man. Bow to no man, and treat all as equals in the struggle for existence. Such aro my reasons for craving a small space in vonr valued paper that I might deal with tho above-mentioned subject in reply to 'Tradesman's'' insertion in The WonKi-.K of May 3. This is a subject that calls for a deal of controversy, but as your space is valuable, I cannot deal with it in detail. Tho writer of that epistle is evidently of tho somnambulistic character of old Rip Van Winklo, and after a protracted sleep has awakened to find this old planet not as he left it, but advancing along welldefined linos tending towards tho amelioration of the many. _ By limiting a man's brains to a specified point progress is retarded. Therefore, do not let a man who shows a sufficiency of brains and intellect bo retarded by such narrow-minded atoms as "Tradesman." The truth is a hard and bitter pill to swallow. Were it edible and mastinable things might bo different, but when it sticks in one's gizzard it leaves a none too palatable taste. My friend must accept tho inevitable, and acknowledge that if there are no brains in the trade it is just possiblo there are some out of it. Else, why are these so-called handy-men assailing professional men's position? Evidently the bono of ''Tradesman's" contention rests in tho alleged fact that the handy-men undersell their labor in times of strife. I strongly deny that statement. Until this last five or six years I was what is generally recognised as a "bird of passage," my avocation taking mo to various countries and to different climes. Being a man of average intelligence and of keen observation, I naturally interested myself in various phases of this old and tattered raiment called "public opinion." Wherever it was noticeable that a man (other than a tradesman) had climbed by means of his own persistency and resourcefulness to a position of standing, there was instantly a hue and cry set up by these profession-proud men. They would not openly admit that this man was the possessor of brains and stamina sufficient to push himself up. They would rather chew tlie cud amongst themselves than come out and openly debate who was the most fitted for this position. Watt, the discoverer of tho power of steam; Stephenson, the inventor of the locomotive; and tlie father of electricity, Thomas A. Edison, wero so-called handy-men. also hundreds of others I could mention. During the years I have been using my energy and brains to raise myself abovo the ordinary level I have never cut below a so-called tradesman, but I have always had tlie courage of my convictions to stand out for what I considered was my due. These last five years my wages have averaged in the vicinity of four and a-half notes per week, and yet I am only a handy-man. I could point to hundreds of tradesmen who look with disdain on the handy-man, yet whose average wage probably pans out about £2 17>s. to £3 per week. My "Tradesman" friend, submit to the inevitable and admit the fact that there are just as able brains outside, the trade as in it. And just as staunch in times of trouble. There are exceptions, but thoy are in the minority.—Yours, etc.. Gisborne. C. J. PERRY.