THE PARAPARA LEASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8125, 2 June 1906, Page 2

THE PARAPARA LEASE.

10 THE EOITOB. Sir,—lt is not a little astonishing—did not one know something of the whools within wheels—to find tlio Tnranaki press so solicitous for the elimination of elause 14 from the ironsand lease. I suppose it has not struck you that it is tho only kmd of clause which can be relied upon to truly enable this colony to bar the Carnegiea and the Rockefellers "et hoc genus omne," from swamping tho good things in our midst. You are posing as an altruist and positively haven't—apparently—any conception as to where your policy in allowing yourself to be hoodwinked by a few grab-alls is leading you. Do you, in your innocence, really believe the people who are clamouring for the elimination of clause 14 are doing so disinterestedly—in the interests of the district P Bosh ! Utter bosh! Any poor deluded workers who may believe it havon't looied ahead. Without clause 14—wisely inserted by men of foresight—the local people and interests would be bought out in a month. Enter foreign greed, Exploiters of labor ! Heartless tyrants, who oan placard their walls with notices that "No experienced worker over 45 years of age shall be retained in this oraploy," and "no inexperienced worker over 40 years shall be retained," Where are the leaders of labor that

they are not upholding the hands of tho Government in this matter P Your saving clause, " unless it can be shown

thatthe deletion of the clause would not be in tho best interests of the colony," 13 good. I trust tlie other side will bestir themselves and take up your challenge, I challenge your statement that that the views expressed by the public meeting " expresses the unanimous opinion of the people of this province," and am here to confirm the doubt expressed in the additional

clause to that statement, " Ifjwe mistake not the (unanimous opinion of) people of the colony." It is in the best interests of the workers that the State should own and control the natural wealth of the colony and not allow it to-slip from their grasp. We don't want capital here that will shoot down its workmen if they dare to pro. test for their rights. And this is unfortunately a weakness of certain oil kings or iron masters in certain " free " countries. In any case if you open your columns to discussion wo shall determine whether there is unanimity on the point or not.—l am, etc., C. James. Hawcra, May 31st, 1906. S2I