THE MEN'S PROTEST.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 83, 11 October 1912, Page 5

THE MEN'S PROTEST.

To the Editor "Lyttelton Times."

Sir, —We the undersigned employees working for Mr. McWilliams at Lake Coleridge have read/ with disgust the report furnished to Parliament by the Minister for Public Works in regard to our troubles and conditions of employment. The Minister's statement from beginning to end is absolutely untrue and calculated to mislead Parliament and prejudice our case in the eyes of the public. This method .of trying to beat a body of working men who are asking for justice is sometimes adopted by unscrupulous and avaricious contractors, but it is not very creditable for a Minister of the Crown.

The Hon. W. Fraser states in his report that we objected to Rankin being employed as an engine-driver because he had no certificate, and after the contractor dismissed him we demanded his reinstatement. We never at any time objected to Rankin being employed as an engine-driver. He holds an engine-driver's certificate and is one of the best and most careful drivers on the job. The contractor dismissed him to try and save his own face, and we demanded his reinstatement. The engine he was driving was worn out and the friction brake was split in many places and tacked with nails. Tne cage fell down the shaft, many times with other engine-drivers, and we are. extremely lucky that some of us have not been killed or crippled.

The Hon. W. Fraser further states that the caste contained two truckloads when it fell, and that it- would not have fallen with men on it. This shows that the Minister either did not know what he was talking about or else he was trying to wilfully mislead Parliament. It is impossible to put moro than one truck on the. cage at a time, and it is absurd to say the cage, was conscious of the fact when it contained human beings. The greater portion of tho tunnel is in a most dangerous condition through inefficient timbering.

We don't know what the Minister means when he says tradesmen have overcome the food difficulty. We have found no change from the beginning. Wo have not been able to have a bath since we, came here. We have tried every legitimate means of getting our conditions improved, but without avail. It was the last resort when we took the drastic step of striking.—We are. etc., 11. de Mamiel, B. Bunce, T. Haas, 11. C- Woodgate, J. Watson Musmill, John Walsh. E. Movies, H. J. Orr, T. Bonis, Vj. Connolly, S. Stanhope, S. P. Chanings, A. Rankin, A. H. Whittington, J. Dawson, A. Smith. L. Deverenx. W. Manson, John Reynolds, C. Wood, T. Shaw, V. Thompson, IJ.