(TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL.)

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 612, 18 April 1878, Page 2

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING MAIL.)

Sie, —No one with one spark of generous feeling can forbear sympathising with the writers of various letters which have lately appeared advocating tho early closing movement. There are men who, in their pursuit of gain, are careless of anything and everything so that they attain the object of their desires. These would, if they had their will, make veritable galley-slaves of their employe's ; they would have those working for them theirs body and soul ; and it is time some effort was made to protect a class too often held in light estimation. On visiting the various retail business establishments of this town, one cannot but be deeply impressed with the attenuated, haggard, and cadaverous faces of the shopmen. Pale and worn they stand, like living spectres in judgment on their inexorable and cruel masters. No insurance medical referee would think of passing them, for the sum of their lives will only exceed two years by a mere trifle; an exile to the mines of Siberia is preferable. Those who dressed m a little brief authority rule them, rapidly accumulate large fortunes. It is a well-known fact that no draper or grocer ever fails hero, or ever could fail. Not a single instance can be adduced of inability to meet any number of creditors by grocer or draper within the last ten years. And why should these things be, Sir ] To all you who arc concerned rouse yourselves ; band together, for unity is strength, and agitation shall prevail.—Yours, &c, Touy. A