WHAT IS RIGHT FOR LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10278, 13 May 1919, Page 3

WHAT IS RIGHT FOR LABOUR

IS XT AN ECONOMIC BOTHER TO BODLEty? j To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” • Sir, —Tour correspondent Henry Bodley i seems to have had his mental make-up • seriously disturbed by the fact of tie • Wellington Waterside Workers holding a stop-work meeting last Saturday. At the outset allow me to apologise for > taking up your valuable space in reply- : ing to your correspondent's diatribe, for 1 the public are already painfully aware of the fact that it takes very little to disturb the mental machinery of Mr Bodley, and when that is once set in motion the physical Mr Bodley works itself into an ink organism," which we know has only too often tried the patience of the daily press editors, who as a rule are sufficiently humane that they refuse to inflict the result of these "Bodley brain-storms” on their readers. Your correspondent has in his latest outburst distinguished himself by the indifferent handling of the truth. For instance he says the men who stop work take no business part in the proceedings; Well the number of men who attended any of these meetings recently was not under 1250, and all are allowed voice end vote in the conduct of the business. Ab far as theso workers being of the opinion that they are not what Mr Bodley calls "Men of Affairs,” I may inform him that they do consider tliemselvcs such, which is proved by the fact that they are willing to loose both time and money, in order that the economic cutlook and liberty of the wage workers of New Zealand may ho guaranteed. His reference to the men who manage the business affairs of the union as "Apaches,” “Knights of the Knuckleduster," etc., demonstrates very clearly the value your correspondent places on the characters of other men. It is a scientific truth that men measure the character of others on the value placed an their own by the public and themselves. This is abundantly proved in your correspondent’s case, for he does rot offer a tittle of evidence to provo his cowardly assertion. His statement tint the men who attend stop-work meetings are only to be found "amongst the imperceptibly moving groups which maice the Pier Hotel corner look hideous” is another libel, and I challenge Henry Bodley to make this accusation to any of the hundreds of men personally. No: ho has not the meittal or moral courage to do that, he makes a general accusation, and attempts'in a most cowardly fashion to brand honest toilers as loafers 1 and corner boys.

I understand. Mr Editor, that Mr Bodlcy is nn executive officer of tho Milk Vendors' Association, I nm certain the character of tho men who compose the executive of tho Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union will bear favourable analysis for honesty nnd integrity r ith that of tho cxccui-lve of the Milk Vendors’ Association. Ox on the other hand

will your' correspondent take this challenge, that the character and integrity of those honest toilers whom he has so wantonly- libelled (the waterside workers) will, man for man, bear more than favourable analysis with those of the milk vendors of the city of Wellington. True it may be that-we have a few members with police ■ court convictions for misdemeanours, but there is one thing they can never be accused of, viz., swindling the public and making war on babies by selling unclean, adulterated, oj poor quality milk. Wo refer your correspondent to tbo convictions recorded against milk vendors to prove this contention. i

In reference to the artist at the Opera House, .it is not, your , . correspondent's fault, but it is his misfortuue. Hie artist .played her part, and ployed it well, further her part was much appreciated by ail present but Mr Bodley; evidently that lady's acting was too advanced for-- the marvellous .intelligent of this "Man of Affairs." His "puerile pap" about ■ snow flakes and cataracts is due no, doubt to long associations with milk cans and water. In conclusion, 1 have to- again apologise for occupying your space in reply, but even men hke Mr Bodley cannot be allowed to commit wholesale libel on honest workers; who knows .but there arc a few who may take him seriously? JAS. ROBERTS.